Bill · S. 1629· Senate(119-S-1629)
Same Care, Lower Cost Act
- Introduced
- 5/6/2025
- Last activity
- 5/6/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- Sponsored by
- John Kennedy
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Same Care, Lower Cost Act" intends to change how Medicare pays for certain services in ambulatory settings starting in 2027. It requires the Secretary to identify at least 66 ambulatory payment classifications to receive site neutral payment rates. These rates would apply whether the service is provided in a hospital outpatient department, an ambulatory surgical center, or other approved settings. Emergency department, critical care, and trauma care visits are excluded from these site neutral payments. The Secretary must also consider recommendations from a June 2023 Medicare Payment Advisory Commission report.
Yes· 3 of 9
Would people over 65 be better off under this?+4
Seniors on Medicare may benefit from lower costs associated with ambulatory services.
Would retired people be better off under this?+4
Retirees using Medicare are the primary beneficiaries of lower ambulatory care costs.
Does this lower what a hospital stay costs?+4
Site-neutral payments are designed to lower the cost of services provided in hospital outpatient departments.
The opposite
Does this put more money into Medicare, the health coverage for people over 65?-2
The bill likely reduces the total amount paid out by Medicare for specific ambulatory services.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Lower Costs: The short title of the bill, the "Same Care, Lower Cost Act," indicates an intent to lower costs associated with these services. (Section 1)
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Payment Changes for Providers: The bill mandates site neutral payment rates for at least 66 ambulatory payment classifications in settings like hospital outpatient departments and ambulatory surgical centers, which changes how these facilities are paid for services. (Section 2(a)(1) and 2(a)(2)(A)(i))
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 Retirees+4Good For Seniors+4Good For Low Income Households+2Good For Middle Class Households+2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Fiscal Responsibility+3Reduces Government Spending+3Reduces National Debt+2
- Healthcare
- Reduces Hospital Costs+4Increases Medicare Funding-2
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+1
- 5/6/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- Introduced in Senate