A Republican bill with 3 Democratic cosponsors · See all 5 cosponsors
Last activity — 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.
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 "Save America's Rural Hospitals Act" aims to amend the Social Security Act to provide enhanced payments to rural health care providers under Medicare and Medicaid. It seeks to stabilize rural hospitals facing closure by adjusting payment methodologies, reversing previous cuts, and extending existing payment levels. The bill includes provisions to increase payments for ground ambulance services and telehealth enhancements for rural clinics. Additionally, it implements regulatory relief by eliminating certain inpatient requirements and hospital stay restrictions. Finally, it establishes grant programs to support the future of rural health care and provider transitions.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +9
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
The bill is specifically designed to stabilize and improve health care access for rural residents.
- Scored +8
Does this make health care easier to get in general?
The bill aims to prevent hospital closures and expand access through telehealth and improved emergency services in rural areas.
- Scored +7
Would people over 65 be better off under this?
The bill increases support for Medicare services which are critical for seniors living 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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Stabilizing Rural Hospitals: By eliminating Medicare sequestration for specific rural hospitals and reversing cuts to bad debt reimbursement, the bill seeks to prevent further hospital closures (Section 101; Section 102).
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Protecting Medicare Beneficiaries: The bill extends increased payment levels for low-volume and Medicare-s-dependent hospitals, which helps ensure continued service for those relying on these facilities (Section 103).
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Improved Emergency and Specialized Care: Making increased Medicare payments for ground ambulance services permanent provides better support for rural emergency transport (Section 111).
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Enhanced Access via Telehealth: Permanently extending Medicare telehealth service enhancements helps federated qualified health centers and rural health clinics provide easier access to care (Section 112).
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Greater Flexibility for Hospital Designations: Restoring State authority to waive the 35-mile rule allows more hospitals to qualify as critical access providers based on community need (Section 113).
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Fairer Costs for Patients: Equalizing beneficiary copayments for services furnished by critical access hospitals aims to provide more equitable costs for patients (Section 201).
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Reduced Regulatory Burdens: Eliminating the 96-hour requirement for inpatient services and certain hospitalization requirements for extended care can simplify how hospitals operate (Section 301; Section 302).
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Support for Health Care Innovation: The creation of flexibility and transformation grants allows rural providers to upgrade technology, train staff, and transition to new care models like rural emergency hospitals (Section 401).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Budget Neutrality Requirements: Several provisions, such as the area wage index adjustments, include mandates for "budget neutrality," which means the Secretary must ensure the total aggregate payments do not exceed previous levels (Section 106; Section 106(b)(2)).
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Limitations on Hospital Designations: There are specific limits on how many facilities can be certified as critical access hospitals through certain state-authorized waivers (Section 113(a)(1)(G)(i)).
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 is specifically designed to stabilize and improve health care access for rural residents. Would retired people be better off under this? — Enhanced Medicare support directly benefits rural retirees. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill increases support for Medicare services which are critical for seniors living in rural areas. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Improved rural hospital access benefits lower-income rural residents who rely on these services.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill aims to prevent hospital closures and expand access through telehealth and improved emergency services in rural areas. Does this put more money into Medicare, the health coverage for people over 65? — The bill increases Medicare payments for rural hospitals, ground ambulance services, and telehealth. Does this put more money into Medicaid, the health coverage for people on low incomes? — The bill includes provisions to stabilize rural health care providers under Medicaid.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill invests in rural health infrastructure through stabilization payments and transformation grants.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill restores State authority to waive certain hospital designation rules.
- 3/3/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/18/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/21/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/22/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/3/2025
- 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.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Jack BergmanRepublican · Michigan
Nikki BudzinskiDemocrat · Illinois
Juan CiscomaniRepublican · Arizona
Jared HuffmanDemocrat · California
Joe NeguseDemocrat · Colorado