A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
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
This bill is called the "SOS: Sustaining Outpatient Services Act." It proposes to change the Social Security Act regarding how Medicare pays for services at off-campus outpatient departments. Specifically, it would allow certain items and services provided by these departments to be paid under the prospective payment system for hospital outpatient department services starting in 2027. These services must meet a specific payment limit related to physician specialties from the previous year.
Yes· 3 of 11
- Scored +7
Would people over 65 be better off under this?
Seniors are the primary beneficiaries of Medicare and will benefit from sustained outpatient services.
- Scored +7
Would retired people be better off under this?
Retirees using Medicare will have better access to sustained outpatient services.
- Scored +6
Does this make health care easier to get in general?
Sustaining off-campus outpatient departments ensures these services remain available to patients.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?
Increasing Medicare payment levels for outpatient services likely increases federal spending.
- Scored -2
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill expands the scope of prospective payment system reimbursements, increasing government expenditures.
- Scored -2
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?
The bill increases Medicare expenditures without providing a corresponding funding source.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Support for Outpatient Services: By allowing Medicare payments for certain items and services provided by off-campus outpatient departments under the prospective payment system, the bill aims to sustain these services (Section 2).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts for individuals or groups of people are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
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 retired people be better off under this? — Retirees using Medicare will have better access to sustained outpatient services. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Seniors are the primary beneficiaries of Medicare and will benefit from sustained outpatient services. Would business owners be better off under this? — Healthcare provider businesses will see an increase in reimbursement levels. Would high-income households be better off under this? — Increased availability of outpatient services can benefit high-income Medicare recipients. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Increased availability of outpatient services can benefit low-income Medicare recipients. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Increased availability of outpatient services can benefit middle-class Medicare recipients. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Maintaining outpatient services helps those who cannot travel to main hospital campuses. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Off-campus outpatient departments are often located in urban areas to increase accessibility.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — Sustaining off-campus outpatient departments ensures these services remain available to patients. Does this put more money into Medicare, the health coverage for people over 65? — The bill allows for expanded Medicare payments for off-campus outpatient departments.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — Increased funding for healthcare providers can stimulate local economic activity in the medical sector. Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — The bill increases Medicare expenditures without providing a corresponding funding source. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill expands the scope of prospective payment system reimbursements, increasing government expenditures. Does this reduce what the federal government owes? — Increasing Medicare payment levels for outpatient services likely increases federal spending.
- 2/24/2026
- 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.
- 1 Cosponsor 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.
James McGovernDemocrat · Massachusetts