Supporting Access to Rural Community Hospitals Act of 2025
Supporting Access to Rural Community Hospitals Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# Summary of HR 1191: Supporting Access to Rural Community Hospitals Act of 2025 **What the bill does:** This bill would temporarily expand which rural hospitals can qualify as "critical access hospitals" (CAHs)—a special Medicare designation that provides favorable payment rates. Specifically, it would allow hospitals currently participating in the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program to also become CAHs for one year. These hospitals are typically too large to normally qualify (they exceed the standard 25-bed limit) but are still small, rural facilities. **Who it affects:** The bill primarily affects small rural hospitals and the communities they serve, particularly in areas underserved by larger medical facilities. It also impacts Medicare, which would adjust payments under this temporary expansion.
Rural patients who depend on these hospitals for healthcare access could potentially benefit from improved hospital financial stability. **Key provision and status:** The main provision is the one-year temporary window allowing demonstration program hospitals to access CAH payment benefits. Currently, HR 1191 is in committee and has not been voted on by the full House. The bill was introduced by Rep. Mike Flood (R-NE) and aims to test whether expanded CAH eligibility helps sustain rural hospital operations.
CRS Official Summary
Supporting Access to Rural Community Hospitals Act of 2025This bill temporarily allows additional hospitals to qualify as critical access hospitals (CAHs) that receive special payment under Medicare.Currently, in order to qualify as a CAH under Medicare, a hospital must either (1) be located more than 35 miles (or 15 miles in mountainous regions or areas with only secondary roads) from another hospital, or (2) have been certified prior to January 1, 2006, by the state as a necessary provider of services in the area. Hospitals also must meet certain size and service requirements, including having no more than 25 acute care inpatient beds.The bill allows, for one year, hospitals that are participating in the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program to also qualify as CAHs. (The program tests the feasibility of cost-based reimbursement for small rural hospitals that are too large to qualify as CAHs.)
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.