Bill · S. 552· Senate(119-S-552)
CRITICAL Act
- Introduced
- 2/12/2025
- Last activity
- 2/12/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- Sponsored by
- Dan Sullivan
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "CRITICAL Act," aims to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act. It focuses on changing the reimbursement rates for critical access hospitals located in noncontiguous States. The changes would apply to services furnished on or after January 1, 2026. Specifically, it addresses inpatient services, outpatient services, ambulance services, and skilled nursing facility services. The goal is to adjust the current 101 percent rate to 105 percent for these specific providers.
Yes· 3 of 10
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+5
Provides essential healthcare support and economic stability for rural communities in noncontiguous states.
Does this make health care easier to get in general?+4
Increasing reimbursement rates for rural hospitals helps ensure the continued availability of healthcare services in noncontiguous states.
Would people over 65 be better off under this?+3
Increased Medicare reimbursement rates benefit the healthcare infrastructure used by seniors.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Reimbursement for Inpatient Services: Critical access hospitals located in a noncontiguous State would receive 105 percent for inpatient services instead of 101 percent starting January 1, 2026 (Section 2(a)).
-
Increased Reimbursement for Outpatient Services: The bill raises the rate for outpatient critical access hospital services in noncontiguous States to 105 percent (Section 2(b)).
-
Enhanced Funding for Ambulance Services: This provision increases the rate to 105 percent for ambulance services provided by a critical access hospital in a noncontiguous State or an entity owned and operated by one (Section 2(c)).
-
Increased Support for Skilled Nursing Facility Services: Covered skilled nursing facility services provided under an agreement by a critical access hospital in a noncontiguous State would be reimbursed at 105 percent (Section 2(d)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts 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 Rural Residents+5Good For Business Owners+3Good For Retirees+3Good For Seniors+3Good For Low Income Households+2Good For Native Americans+2
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+4Increases Medicare Funding+3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+3
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+3
- 2/12/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Brian SchatzDemocrat · Hawaii