Plain Language Summary
# ARCH Act Summary **What It Does:** The ARCH Act would extend federal financial support programs for small rural hospitals through 2031. Specifically, it would continue two Medicare payment programs: one that gives extra funding to rural hospitals that serve many Medicare patients, and another that provides increased payments to hospitals that treat fewer patients. The bill also requires a government audit to track how many hospitals benefit from these programs. **Who It Affects:** Rural hospitals and the communities they serve would be the primary beneficiaries.
These are typically smaller facilities in less populated areas that struggle financially because they treat many elderly Medicare patients (who are reimbursed at fixed rates) and have fewer total patients than urban hospitals. Rural patients who depend on these local hospitals could also be indirectly affected. **Current Status:** The bill was introduced in the House by Representative Carol D. Miller (R-WV) and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives.
CRS Official Summary
Assistance for Rural Community Hospitals Act or the ARCH ActThis bill extends through FY2031 (1) the Medicare-Dependent Hospital Program, which provides additional payments to certain small rural hospitals that have a high proportion of Medicare patients; and (2) certain increased payment adjustments for low-volume hospitals under Medicare's inpatient prospective payment system.It also requires the Government Accountability Office to report on the number of hospitals that received certain classifications for purposes of payment under Medicare, including low-volume hospitals and Medicare-dependent hospitals.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.