June 30, 2025
Mr. Newhouse introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand the definition of critical access hospital under the Medicare program to include certain hospitals on Indian reservations.
Section 1. Expanding the definition of critical access hospital under the Medicare program to include certain hospitals on Indian reservations
Section 1820(c)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395i–4(c)(2)) is amended—
(1)
in subparagraph (B)(i)(I), by inserting subject to subparagraph (F),
before is located
;
(2)
in subparagraph (E)(ii), by striking The total
and inserting Subject to subparagraph (F), the total
; and
(3)
by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
(F) Hospitals on Indian reservations
(i) In general
Beginning August 1, 2025, a State may designate a facility as a critical access hospital if the facility—
(I)
is located on a reservation (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act); and
(II)
is located more than a 35-mile drive (or, in the case of mountainous terrain or in areas with only secondary roads available, a 15-mile drive) from a hospital, or another facility described in this subsection, that—
(aa)
is located on a reservation (as so defined); or
(bb)
is operated by the Indian Health Service, an Indian tribe or tribal organization, or an urban Indian organization (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act).
(ii) Psychiatric and rehabilitation distinct part units
A facility described in clause (i) may establish a distinct part unit under subparagraph (E) without regard to the limitation on number of beds under clause (ii) of such subparagraph.