Ensuring Outpatient Quality for Rural States Act

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.