Bill · H.R. 8091· House(119-HR-8091)
Outpatient Surgery Access Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 3/25/2026
- Last activity
- 3/25/2026 — 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
- Beth Van Duyne
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Outpatient Surgery Access Act of 2026," aims to amend the Social Security Act. It focuses on modernizing how Medicare pays ambulatory surgical centers. The legislation seeks to align updates for these surgical center services with the outpatient department fee schedule. Additionally, it addresses budget neutrality adjustments for outpatient surgical procedures. These changes are intended to take effect starting in 2027.
Yes· 3 of 6
Would business owners be better off under this?+4
Ambulatory surgical center owners benefit from more consistent annual payment updates and the removal of specific budget neutrality adjustments.
Does this make it easier to run a small business?+4
The bill provides more predictable and potentially higher payment updates for ambulatory surgical centers.
Does this put more money into Medicare, the health coverage for people over 65?+3
The bill increases Medicare payments to ambulatory surgical centers by aligning their updates with the OPD fee schedule and removing specific budget neutrality adjustments.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-2
The bill limits the Secretary's ability to apply certain budget neutrality adjustments that otherwise cap total expenditures.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Annual Payment Updates: The Secretary would apply an annual update for ambulatory surgical center services that is equal to the OPD fee schedule increase factor. This is intended to align surgical center updates with outpatient department services (Section 2).
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Removal of Certain Adjustments: The bill prohibits the Secretary from applying specific adjustments designed to result in the same aggregate amount of expenditures for these services. This removes the ASC-specific budget neutrality adjustment (Section 3(a)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts or burdens are explicitly stated in the provided text.
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 Business Owners+4Good For Retirees+2Good For Seniors+2
- Healthcare
- Increases Medicare Funding+3Improves Healthcare Access+2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+4Reduces Government Spending-2
- 3/25/2026
- 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.
John LarsonDemocrat · Connecticut