Bill 119 s 521, also known as the Critical Access Hospital Relief Act, is a proposed amendment to the Social Security Act that aims to waive certain distance requirements for hospitals seeking to be designated as critical access hospitals. Critical access hospitals are small, rural hospitals that play a crucial role in providing healthcare services to underserved communities. Currently, in order to qualify as a critical access hospital, facilities must be located at least 35 miles away from another hospital. However, this bill seeks to waive this distance requirement for hospitals that elect to be designated as critical access hospitals. This waiver would allow more hospitals to qualify for critical access status, thereby increasing access to healthcare services in rural areas. The bill aims to improve healthcare access and quality in rural communities by allowing more hospitals to qualify for critical access status. By waiving certain distance requirements, hospitals in underserved areas will have the opportunity to receive critical access designation, which comes with benefits such as higher reimbursement rates and increased flexibility in providing care. Overall, the Critical Access Hospital Relief Act seeks to address the healthcare disparities faced by rural communities by expanding the eligibility criteria for critical access hospitals. This bill has the potential to improve healthcare outcomes and access for individuals living in rural areas across the United States.
Bill 119 s 521, also known as the Critical Access Hospital Relief Act, is a proposed amendment to the Social Security Act that aims to waive certain distance requirements for hospitals seeking to be designated as critical acc...