H.R.3684

H. R. 3684

June 3, 2025

Mr. Graves (for himself and Ms. Budzinski) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and the Budget, 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

A BILL

To amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to provide for enhanced payments to rural health care providers under the Medicare and Medicaid programs, and for other purposes.

1. Short title; table of contents; TITLE I—RURAL PROVIDER PAYMENT STABILIZATION; 101. Eliminating Medicare sequestration for rural hospitals; 102. Reversing cuts to reimbursement of bad debt for critical access hospitals (CAHs) and rural hospitals; 103. Permanently extending payment levels for low-volume hospitals and Medicare-dependent hospitals (MDHs); 104. Extending disproportionate share payments for sole community hospitals and medicare-dependent hospitals; 105. Rebasing target amounts for Medicare-dependent hospitals and sole community hospitals; 106. Implementing area wage index adjustments; 111. Making permanent increased Medicare payments for ground ambulance services in rural areas; 112. Permanently extending Medicare telehealth service enhancements for federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics; 113. Restoring State authority to waive the 35-mile rule for certain Medicare critical access hospital designations; TITLE II—RURAL MEDICARE BENEFICIARY EQUITY; 201. Equalizing beneficiary copayments for services furnished by CAHs; TITLE III—REGULATORY RELIEF; 301. Eliminating 96-hour requirements with respect to inpatient CAH services; 302. Eliminating hospitalization requirement for extended care services furnished by certain hospitals; TITLE IV—FUTURE OF RURAL HEALTH CARE; 401. Medicare rural hospital flexibility program grants