Bill · H.R. 4269· House(119-HR-4269)
Ensuring Outpatient Quality for Rural States Act
- Introduced
- 6/30/2025
- Last activity
- 6/30/2025 — 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.
- Sponsored by
- Jill Tokuda
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Ensuring Outpatient Quality for Rural States Act," aims to amend the Social Security Act. It focuses on hospital outpatient department services specifically located in Alaska and Hawaii. The legislation would allow the Secretary to apply a cost-of-living adjustment to the non-labor related portion of payments for these services. These adjustments would take into account the unique circumstances of hospitals in those two states. This provision would apply to covered services furnished on or after January 1, 2026.
Yes· 3 of 10
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+5
The bill specifically targets improving the quality and sustainability of outpatient services in rural-heavy states like Alaska and Hawaii.
Does this put more money into Medicare, the health coverage for people over 65?+5
The bill expands payment adjustments for Medicare-covered outpatient services in Alaska and Hawaii.
Does this make health care easier to get in general?+4
By adjusting payments for unique regional circumstances, it helps ensure the sustainability of outpatient services in Alaska and Hawaii.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?-1
The bill explicitly states that these adjustments shall not be applied in a budget neutral manner, which could increase the deficit.
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-1
The provision likely increases government spending on healthcare payments.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Payment Adjustments for Specific States: The bill allows the Secretary to provide adjustments to payment amounts for hospital outpatient services in Alaska and Hawaii to account for their unique circumstances (Section 2).
-
Inflation Protection: By allowing for a cost-of-living adjustment to the non-labor related portion of payments, the bill addresses the specific needs of hospitals in these regions (Section 2).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Non-Budget Neutral Implementation: The bill explicitly states that the application of these adjustments shall not be applied in a budget neutral manner (Section 2).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Rural Residents+5Good For Retirees+3Good For Seniors+3Good For Business Owners+2Good For Native Americans+2Good For Low Income Households+1
- Healthcare
- Increases Medicare Funding+5Improves Healthcare Access+4
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+3
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces Government Spending-1Reduces National Debt-1
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+1
- 7/2/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/30/2025
- 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.
Nicholas BegichRepublican · Alaska
Ed CaseDemocrat · Hawaii