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H.R.8271

ICU Bed Act of 2026 Improving Care Utilization through Bed Exchange and Data Sharing Act of 2026

Introduced·4/14/26

ICU Bed Act of 2026 requires hospitals to report real-time ICU bed availability as a Medicare participation condition.

The ICU Bed Act of 2026 amends the Social Security Act to mandate that hospitals report real-time intensive care unit bed availability as a condition of Medicare participation. It also requires hospitals to share data on ICU bed availability with other hospitals in their region. The Secretary of Health and Human Services will establish regions for this purpose, considering geography, population, and travel time between hospitals. The bill aims to improve care utilization by facilitating efficient patient transfers and preventing overcapacity during public health emergencies.

Included in complete analysis

  • Overview
  • Core Provisions
  • Implementation
  • Impact
  • Legal Framework
  • Critical Issues

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Where it stands

Current
Energy And Commerce Committee
Next
Committee decision

Sponsors

D
1
4
RRRR
Democratic CaucusRepublican Caucus

History

Apr 14

House

Introduced in House

Apr 14

House

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.