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Ensuring Outpatient Quality for Rural States Act

USA119th CongressS-551| Senate 
| Updated: 2/12/2025
Dan Sullivan

Dan Sullivan

Republican Senator

Alaska

Cosponsors (2)
Brian Schatz (Democratic)Lisa Murkowski (Republican)

Finance Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill amends the Social Security Act to allow for a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to the non-labor related portion of payments for hospital outpatient department services. Specifically, it targets services furnished in Alaska and Hawaii , recognizing the unique economic challenges faced by hospitals in these states. The Secretary of Health and Human Services would be authorized to implement these adjustments for services provided on or after January 1, 2026, using a method similar to existing provisions for other hospital payments. A key provision ensures that these adjustments will not be applied in a budget-neutral manner , allowing for increased funding to support outpatient care quality in these regions.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-3691
Ensuring Outpatient Quality for Rural States Act
Feb 12, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Feb 12, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Jun 30, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-4269
Introduced in House
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-3691
    Ensuring Outpatient Quality for Rural States Act


  • February 12, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 12, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.


  • June 30, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-4269
    Introduced in House

Health

Related Bills

  • HR 119-4269: Ensuring Outpatient Quality for Rural States Act
AlaskaHawaiiHealth care costs and insuranceHome and outpatient careInflation and pricesMedicare

Ensuring Outpatient Quality for Rural States Act

USA119th CongressS-551| Senate 
| Updated: 2/12/2025
This bill amends the Social Security Act to allow for a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to the non-labor related portion of payments for hospital outpatient department services. Specifically, it targets services furnished in Alaska and Hawaii , recognizing the unique economic challenges faced by hospitals in these states. The Secretary of Health and Human Services would be authorized to implement these adjustments for services provided on or after January 1, 2026, using a method similar to existing provisions for other hospital payments. A key provision ensures that these adjustments will not be applied in a budget-neutral manner , allowing for increased funding to support outpatient care quality in these regions.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-3691
Ensuring Outpatient Quality for Rural States Act
Feb 12, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Feb 12, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Jun 30, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-4269
Introduced in House
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-3691
    Ensuring Outpatient Quality for Rural States Act


  • February 12, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 12, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.


  • June 30, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-4269
    Introduced in House
Dan Sullivan

Dan Sullivan

Republican Senator

Alaska

Cosponsors (2)
Brian Schatz (Democratic)Lisa Murkowski (Republican)

Finance Committee

Health

Related Bills

  • HR 119-4269: Ensuring Outpatient Quality for Rural States Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
AlaskaHawaiiHealth care costs and insuranceHome and outpatient careInflation and pricesMedicare