This bill amends Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to include blood culture contamination as a hospital-acquired condition (HAC) under the Medicare program. This designation will apply to discharges occurring during fiscal year 2026 and all subsequent fiscal years, aiming to improve patient safety and outcomes by holding hospitals accountable for preventable conditions. A key provision directs the Secretary to establish a specific measure for blood culture contamination for hospitals. This measure will mandate that the rate of such contamination should not exceed 1 percent , thereby setting a clear standard for quality of care and potentially impacting hospital reporting or reimbursement related to these conditions.