Bill Summary
The "Rural Health Care Access Act of 2019" is a bill that seeks to amend the Social Security Act to allow for the designation of critical access hospitals in rural areas without any mileage limitations. This would allow these hospitals to receive Medicare funding and flexibility in their operations. The bill also includes provisions for the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Program, which aims to support and improve access to healthcare in rural areas. The amendment would apply to any designations or redesignations made after the date of the bill's enactment.
Possible Impacts
1. This legislation could potentially increase access to healthcare for people living in rural areas, as it permits the designation of critical access hospitals without any mileage limitations. This could benefit individuals who may have previously had to travel long distances to receive medical care.
2. The Rural Health Care Access Act of 2019 could also potentially alleviate financial burdens for individuals living in rural areas, as they may now have access to designated critical access hospitals that are closer to their homes. This could save them money on transportation costs and potentially reduce the need for overnight stays in distant hospitals.
3. However, the legislation may also face opposition from larger, non-rural hospitals, as it could potentially redirect resources and funding towards critical access hospitals in rural areas. This could affect people who rely on these larger hospitals for specialized care or procedures.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2990 Introduced in House (IH)]
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116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2990
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to permit States to
designate without any mileage limitations facilities that are located
in rural areas as critical access hospitals, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 23, 2019
Mr. Green of Tennessee (for himself and Mr. Thompson of Mississippi)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
Ways and Means
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A BILL
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to permit States to
designate without any mileage limitations facilities that are located
in rural areas as critical access hospitals, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Rural Health Care Access Act of
2019''.
SEC. 2. MEDICARE RURAL HOSPITAL FLEXIBILITY PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Section 1820 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1395i-4) is amended--
(1) in subsection (c)(2)(B)(i)--
(A) by striking ``, and that--'' and inserting a
semicolon; and
(B) by striking subclauses (I) and (II); and
(2) in subsection (h)(3), by inserting ``made before the
date of the enactment of the Rural Health Care Access Act of
2019'' after ``any redesignation''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a)(1) shall
apply with respect to any designation or redesignation made on or after
the date of the enactment of this Act.
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