Bill · H.R. 9468· House(119-HR-9468)
STAR Act
- Introduced
- 6/25/2026
- Last activity
- 7/15/2026 — Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 40 - 0.
- Sponsored by
- Kevin Hern
- Cosponsors
- - 4 - 0
- Introduced
What this bill would do
The STAR Act aims to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to adjust Medicare payment rates for long-term care hospitals. This includes extending the period for site-neutral payment reductions through 2032. The bill also introduces a new "high acuity criterion" for certain discharges. Additionally, it modifies existing criteria related to intensive care units and ventilator services. These changes impact how hospital stays and hospital discharges are handled under the Medicare program.
Yes
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?+5
The bill extends site-neutral payment reductions through 2032, which reduces Medicare spending.
Does this make health care easier to get in general?+2
The addition of a high acuity criterion provides specific protections for patients transferred from subsection (d) or critical access hospitals.
The opposite
Does this put more money into Medicare, the health coverage for people over 65?-5
The extension of site-neutral payment reductions lowers the overall reimbursement rates for long-term care hospitals under Medicare.
Would people over 65 be better off under this?-2
Extended payment reductions through 2032 could affect the long-term stability of Medicare-funded care for the elderly.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?-1
Changes to Medicare payment rates can influence the quality and availability of care for low-income individuals relying on these services.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
High Acuity Discharge Protection: The bill adds a "high acuity criterion" which could benefit certain patients transferred from hospitals. This criterion applies to stays immediately preceded by a discharge from a subsection (d) hospital or a critical access hospital, provided specific diagnosis requirements are met (Section 2(b)(1)(A)).
-
Expanded Criteria for Specific Discharges: The bill modifies the criteria for ICU and ventilator services. This adjustment applies to discharges occurring on or after October 1, 2026, involving stays in a long-term care hospital or a critical access hospital (Section 2(b)(1)(A) and (B)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Extended Payment Reductions: The bill extends the duration of site-neutral payment reductions from 2026 to 2032. This extension of the reduction period is applied to section 1886(m)(6)(B)(iv) of the Social Security Act (Section 2(a)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces Government Spending+5
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Seniors-2Good For Low Income Households-1
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+2Increases Medicare Funding-5
- 7/15/2026
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 40 - 0.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/13/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/25/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Mike CareyRepublican · Ohio
Mike KellyRepublican · Pennsylvania
Carol MillerRepublican · West Virginia
Lloyd SmuckerRepublican · Pennsylvania