Critical Access Hospital RIP Act of 2026

Bill Number

H.R. 9163

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Health

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-06-04: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Last Updated

2026-07-01T20:21:49Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose This legislation amends the Social Security Act to protect the critical access hospital (CAH) designation for facilities that would otherwise lose eligibility solely due to roadway or transportation infrastructure improvements completed after their original designation.

Key Provisions

• Adds a new subparagraph (F) to Section 1820(c)(2) of the Social Security Act.
• States that a facility designated as a CAH by a state shall be deemed to continue meeting the distance criterion in subparagraph (B)(i)(I) even if a subsequent roadway or transportation infrastructure improvement would otherwise disqualify it.
• Defines "roadway or transportation infrastructure improvement" to include construction, realignment, widening, or enhancement of highways or roadways, as well as construction or modification of bridges, overpasses, or tunnels.
• Applies to improvements completed on or after the date of the facility’s CAH designation.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Introduces an explicit disregard provision for post-designation infrastructure changes, which is not currently addressed in the CAH eligibility rules under Medicare.
• Creates a permanent protection mechanism that prevents loss of status based on external public works projects.

Potential Impacts

• Government agencies: Affects the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and state health departments responsible for CAH designations and Medicare reimbursement oversight.
• Citizens: Supports continued access to Medicare-reimbursed services at rural facilities that might otherwise lose enhanced payment rates.
• No notable effects on international relations.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Critical access hospitals and their operators in rural areas.
• Medicare beneficiaries living in regions served by these facilities.
• State agencies involved in CAH designation processes.
• Rural healthcare providers and communities reliant on these hospitals for emergency and inpatient care.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Represents a targeted statutory amendment to Medicare’s hospital classification rules without altering broader constitutional authority over federal spending programs.
• Raises no apparent federalism conflicts, as it builds on existing state designation authority while adding a federal safeguard.
• Focuses on preserving rural healthcare infrastructure stability through changes in eligibility criteria.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2]

Cosponsors (6)

Rep. Horsford, Steven [D-NV-4], Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33], Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10]

Recent Actions

• 2026-06-04: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
• 2026-06-04: Introduced in House
• 2026-06-04: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Critical Access Hospital Roadway Impact Protections Act of 2026 — issued 2026-06-04 — PDF (3 pages)