Bill · H.R. 8986· House(119-HR-8986)
Ensuring Rural Health Care Access for Military and Tribal Families Act
- Introduced
- 5/21/2026
- Last activity
- 5/21/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- Sponsored by
- Dan Newhouse
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Ensuring Rural Health Care Access for Military and Tribal Families Act. It amends title XVIII of the Social Security Act to allow states to designate certain facilities as critical access hospitals under the Medicare program. Beginning October 1, 2026, a state may designate a facility as a critical access hospital without following the usual criteria if the facility meets at least 3 out of 5 specific new criteria. These new criteria focus on hospitals that serve individuals covered under the TRICARE program, veterans in rural areas, or facilities located on a reservation. Additionally, these designated facilities may establish distinct part units for psychiatric and rehabilitation services without the standard limitation on the number of beds.
Yes· 3 of 13
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+8
Directly enhances healthcare access and hospital designations for rural residents.
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?+7
Directly supports rural healthcare facilities serving veterans enrolled in the patient enrollment system.
Does this make health care easier to get in general?+7
Expands critical access hospital designations for facilities serving rural, military, and tribal populations.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 2 (adding subparagraph (F)(i)(I) through (V)): This provision allows a state to designate certain facilities as critical access hospitals if they meet three or more specific criteria, such as delivering health care to TRICARE-covered individuals and veterans in rural areas, deriving a portion of their revenue from TRICARE, or being located on a reservation. This is positive because it helps ensure that rural areas serving military families, veterans, and tribal members have access to necessary hospital designations.
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Section 2 (adding subparagraph (F)(ii)): This provision allows a qualifying facility to establish distinct part units for psychiatric and rehabilitation services without regard to the standard bed limitations. This is beneficial because it gives these facilities more flexibility to provide needed mental health and rehabilitation care without being restricted by traditional bed caps.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Based on the provided text, there are no explicitly stated negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
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+8Good For Veterans+7Good For Native Americans+5Good For Retirees+3Good For Seniors+3Good For Women+3
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+7Improves Veterans Healthcare+6Improves Mental Health Access+5Increases Medicare Funding+4
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Veterans Benefits+6
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Increase States Rights+3
- 5/21/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Rick LarsenDemocrat · Washington