Bill · S. 4963· Senate(119-S-4963)
Outpatient Surgery Access Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 7/14/2026
- Last activity
- 7/14/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- Sponsored by
- Bill Cassidy
- 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 regarding Medicare payments. It seeks to modernize how payments are handled for ambulatory surgical centers. Specifically, it directs the Secretary to apply an annual update for these centers that matches the OPD fee schedule increase factor starting in 2027. Additionally, the bill proposes prohibiting certain budget neutrality adjustments for these surgical procedures. It also changes how volume is considered when determining adjustments for budget neutrality calculations.
Yes· 3 of 6
Would business owners be better off under this?+4
Ambulatory surgical center owners benefit from more predictable annual payment updates and the prohibition of specific downward budget neutrality adjustments.
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 updates with the OPD fee schedule and prohibiting certain downward adjustments.
Does this make it easier to run a small business?+3
The bill provides more predictable and higher payment updates for ambulatory surgical centers, which are often smaller healthcare entities.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-2
The bill limits the Secretary's ability to apply budget neutrality adjustments that would keep aggregate expenditures stable, potentially increasing Medicare spending.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Annual Payment Updates: Under Section 2, the Secretary is required to apply an annual update for ambulatory surgical center services that equals the OPD fee schedule increase factor. This could provide more predictable and updated payment structures for these services starting in 2027.
-
Prohibiting Specific Adjustments: Section 3(a) prevents the Secretary from applying specific adjustments designed to keep aggregate expenditures the same for these services. This change aims to prevent certain budget neutrality adjustments from being applied to outpatient surgical procedures.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No Negative Impacts Identified: The provided text does not contain specific information regarding potential negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people.
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+3Reduces Government Spending-2
- 7/15/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/14/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut