Jill Tokuda (D-HI)
Rural Emergency Hospital Designation Improvement Act
A Democratic bill with 4 Republican cosponsors · See all 7 cosponsors
Last activity — 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.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Rural Emergency Hospital Designation Improvement Act aims to amend the Social Security Act regarding rural emergency hospitals. It changes eligibility rules to allow for waivers for facilities operating similarly to these hospitals. The bill expands the types of units a rural emergency hospital can maintain, including psychiatric, rehabilitation, and obstetric units. It also introduces a 5 percent payment increase for certain diagnostic laboratory tests. Additionally, it allows for agreements to provide extended care services and includes these hospitals in various grant and Medicaid programs.
Yes· 3 of 12
- Scored +8
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
The bill significantly enhances healthcare access and service variety for residents of rural areas.
- Scored +7
Does this make health care easier to get in general?
The bill expands the range of services, such as obstetric and rehabilitation units, available in rural areas.
- Scored +6
Would women be better off under this?
The bill specifically expands access to obstetric and labor/delivery units in rural areas.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Easier Conversion for Facilities: The bill allows the Secretary to waive certain requirements for facilities that operate similarly to a rural emergency hospital, making it easier for them to qualify for the designation (Section 2).
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Expanded Specialized Care: Hospitals can now maintain or include specific units for inpatient psychiatric care, inpatient rehabilitation, or obstetric services like labor and delivery (Section 3).
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Increased Funding for Laboratory Tests: Starting January 1, 2027, payments for certain clinical and other diagnostic laboratory tests will increase by 5 percent to help cover higher costs (Section 4).
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Access to Extended Care: Hospitals can enter into agreements to provide services similar to those found in skilled nursing facilities (Section 5).
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Protection for Returning Hospitals: If a facility reverts to being a critical access hospital, it can regain its status as a necessary provider of health care services (Section 6).
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Staffing Support: Rural emergency hospitals will be deemed health professional shortage areas, which may assist with provider availability (Section 7).
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Grant Eligibility: These hospitals can now access the Small Rural Hospital Improvement Program grants (Section 8).
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Medicaid Coverage: The bill ensures that rural emergency hospital services, including those in specific nursing facility units, are included under Medicaid (Section 9).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are explicitly mentioned in the text provided.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill significantly enhances healthcare access and service variety for residents of rural areas. Would women be better off under this? — The bill specifically expands access to obstetric and labor/delivery units in rural areas. Would retired people be better off under this? — Improved access to extended care services is highly beneficial for retirees living in rural areas. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill improves access to extended care and nursing facility services which benefit seniors. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Expanding Medicaid coverage for rural emergency hospital services assists low-income households. Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill provides easier conversion pathways and increased payments for rural hospital operators. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The expansion of inpatient rehabilitation units provides better support for those with disabilities.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill expands the range of services, such as obstetric and rehabilitation units, available in rural areas. Does this make mental health care easier to get? — The bill allows rural emergency hospitals to maintain inpatient psychiatric units. Does this put more money into Medicare, the health coverage for people over 65? — The bill increases payments for diagnostic laboratory tests at rural emergency hospitals. Does this put more money into Medicaid, the health coverage for people on low incomes? — The bill ensures rural emergency hospital services are covered under Medicaid.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill enhances healthcare infrastructure and services specifically within rural communities.
- 9/15/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/8/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/3/2026
- 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.
- 5 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Jack BergmanRepublican · Michigan
Donald DavisDemocrat · North Carolina
Sharice DavidsDemocrat · Kansas
Tracey MannRepublican · Kansas
Carol MillerRepublican · West Virginia
Melanie StansburyDemocrat · New Mexico
Derek SchmidtRepublican · Kansas