Bill 118 s 3691, also known as the "Cost-of-Living Adjustment for Hospital Outpatient Department Services in Alaska and Hawaii Act," aims to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act. The bill specifically focuses on providing a cost-of-living adjustment for the non-labor related portion of hospital outpatient department services in Alaska and Hawaii.
Currently, hospital outpatient department services in these states do not receive the same cost-of-living adjustments as those in other parts of the country. This bill seeks to rectify this disparity by ensuring that these services in Alaska and Hawaii are eligible for the same adjustments as those in other states.
By providing this adjustment, the bill aims to ensure that hospitals in Alaska and Hawaii are able to continue providing high-quality outpatient services without being financially burdened by the higher costs of living in these states. This adjustment will help to ensure that patients in these states have access to the same level of care as those in other parts of the country.
Overall, Bill 118 s 3691 seeks to address the unique challenges faced by hospitals in Alaska and Hawaii by providing them with the necessary financial support to continue providing essential outpatient services to their communities.