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To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for the treatment of critical access hospital services furnished by a critical access hospital located in a noncontiguous State.
Summary
This bill increases Medicare reimbursement rates for critical access hospitals located in noncontiguous states (Alaska and Hawaii) beginning January 1, 2026. Currently, Medicare reimburses critical access hospitals at 101 percent of reasonable costs; this bill raises the rate to 105 percent for hospitals in noncontiguous states. The higher reimbursement rate applies to inpatient services, outpatient services, ambulance services furnished by or affiliated with the hospital, and skilled nursing facility services provided under agreement with the hospital.
AI-generated plain-language summary of the bill text — neutral, and may be imperfect. See the full text below for the exact wording.
Sponsor (1)
- Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK] (R-AK)
1 cosponsor
- Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI] (D-HI)
Money behind the sponsor
Top reported contributors to Dan Sullivan’s campaign committee (2024 cycle) — who funds the bill’s sponsor, not a claim about this bill. Data from FEC.
Organizations whose employees gave the most — itemized individual contributions grouped by the donor’s reported employer (FEC Schedule A). Full finance for Dan Sullivan → · Outside spending →
Actions (2)
- Feb 12, 2025 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. · senate
- Feb 12, 2025 Introduced in Senate
Similar bills (6)
Bills with similar text or summary — includes reintroductions across Congresses. Ranked by semantic similarity of the bill text (computed locally); a neutral discovery aid, not a claim the bills are duplicates.
Full text
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
February 12, 2025
Mr. Sullivan (for himself and Mr. Schatz) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance
A BILL
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for the treatment of critical access hospital services furnished by a critical access hospital located in a noncontiguous State.
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 “Comprehensive Reimbursement Initiative Targeting Investment and Care in rural Locations” or the “CRITICAL Act”.
SEC. 2. TREATMENT OF CRITICAL ACCESS HOSPITALS LOCATED IN A NONCONTIGUOUS STATE.
(a) Inpatient Critical Access Hospital Services.—Section 1814(l)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395f(l)(1)) is amended by inserting “(or, in the case of inpatient critical access hospital services furnished on or after January 1, 2026, by a critical access hospital that is located in a noncontiguous State, 105 percent)” after “101 percent”.
(b) Outpatient Critical Access Hospital Services.—Section 1834(g)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(g)(1)) is amended by inserting “(or, in the case of outpatient critical access hospital services furnished on or after January 1, 2026, by a critical access hospital that is located in a noncontiguous State, 105 percent)” after “101 percent”.
(c) Ambulance Services.—Section 1834(l)(8) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(l)(8)) is amended by inserting “(or, in the case of ambulance services furnished on or after January 1, 2026, by a critical access hospital that is located in a noncontiguous State or by an entity that is owned and operated by a critical access hospital that is located in a noncontiguous State, 105 percent)” after “101 percent”.
(d) Skilled Nursing Facility Services.—Section 1883(a)(3) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395tt(a)(3)) is amended by inserting “(or, in the case of covered skilled nursing facility services furnished on or after January 1, 2026, under an agreement under this section by a critical access hospital that is located in a noncontiguous State, 105 percent)” after “101 percent”. <all>
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