Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program Reauthorization
- Bill Number
- S. 4460
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Passed Senate
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-21: Held at the desk.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-24T15:53:31Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation This Act extends the existing Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program under Medicare by an additional five years to support continued testing of payment and service models for certain rural hospitals.
Key Provisions
- The bill is titled the "Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program Reauthorization."
- It amends section 410A of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 by replacing references to a "15-year extension period" with a "20-year extension period."
- Conforming changes update subsection headings and multiple paragraphs to reflect the longer timeframe.
- A new rule allows rural community hospitals that join the program between December 30, 2024, and January 1, 2027, to receive similar treatment during the fourth five-year segment of the extended period as earlier participants.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- The demonstration period is lengthened from 15 years to 20 years total.
- New language is added to address participation by non-original hospitals during a defined future window, expanding eligibility rules within the extended timeframe.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: The Department of Health and Human Services and its Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services would continue administering the program for five additional years, requiring ongoing oversight and data collection.
- Citizens: Rural residents may experience sustained access to participating hospitals that receive adjusted Medicare payments during the demonstration.
- International relations: No direct effects are outlined.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Rural community hospitals currently or newly participating in the demonstration.
- Medicare beneficiaries living in rural areas served by these hospitals.
- The Secretary of Health and Human Services, who oversees program rules and extensions.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- The legislation operates within Congress's established authority to modify Medicare demonstration projects through amendments to prior statutes.
- It introduces no apparent new constitutional questions and focuses solely on extending an existing domestic healthcare initiative without altering broader program structures.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (16)
Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO], Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID], Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR], Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK], Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM], Sen. Hyde-Smith, Cindy [R-MS], Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT], Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS], Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME], Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK], Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR], Sen. Ricketts, Pete [R-NE], Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM], Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK], Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO], Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-21: Held at the desk.
- 2026-05-21: Received in the House.
- 2026-05-21: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 2026-05-20: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2428; text: CR S2428)
- 2026-05-20: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- 2026-05-20: Senate Committee on Finance discharged by Unanimous Consent.
- 2026-05-20: Senate Committee on Finance discharged by Unanimous Consent.
- 2026-04-30: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 2026-04-30: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program Reauthorization — issued 2026-05-20 — PDF (6 pages)
- Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program Reauthorization — issued 2026-04-30 — PDF (4 pages)