Rural ER Access Act
Rural ER Access Act
Plain Language Summary
# Rural ER Access Act Summary **What the Bill Would Do** The Rural ER Access Act would remove a current Medicare regulation that restricts where hospitals can operate off-campus emergency rooms and other facilities. Specifically, it would eliminate the requirement that these satellite facilities be located within 35 miles of the main hospital to receive Medicare payment as hospital outpatient departments. By repealing this distance restriction, the bill would give hospitals more flexibility in where they can establish remote healthcare facilities. **Who It Affects** This bill primarily affects rural hospitals and the communities they serve.
Rural areas often face challenges in providing adequate emergency care due to geographic distances and sparse populations. Patients in remote areas would potentially benefit from easier access to emergency services. The bill also impacts Medicare (the federal health insurance program for seniors and certain disabled individuals), as it would change how these satellite facilities are reimbursed. **Current Status** The bill was introduced in the 119th Congress by Representative Mark Green (R-TN) and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives.
CRS Official Summary
Rural ER Access Act This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to repeal regulations that require off-campus facilities to be located within 35 miles of the main hospital or critical access hospital in order to receive provider-based status under Medicare (i.e., to be considered as hospital outpatient departments for purposes of Medicare payment).
Latest Action
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.