SOS: Sustaining Outpatient Services Act

12/21/2024, 9:05 AM

Summary of Bill HR 955

Bill 118 hr 955, also known as the SOS: Sustaining Outpatient Services Act, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The main goal of this bill is to provide funding and support for outpatient services in healthcare facilities across the country.

The bill aims to address the growing need for outpatient services, which are essential for providing care to patients who do not require overnight hospitalization. By sustaining and expanding these services, the bill seeks to improve access to healthcare for all Americans, particularly those in underserved communities.

Specifically, the SOS Act would allocate funding to outpatient facilities to help cover the costs of staffing, equipment, and other resources needed to provide high-quality care. Additionally, the bill includes provisions to incentivize healthcare providers to offer a wider range of outpatient services, such as telemedicine and preventive care. Overall, the SOS: Sustaining Outpatient Services Act is a bipartisan effort to strengthen the healthcare system and ensure that all Americans have access to the care they need. Supporters of the bill argue that investing in outpatient services will not only improve patient outcomes but also reduce healthcare costs in the long run.

Congressional Summary of HR 955

SOS: Sustaining Outpatient Services Act

This bill allows for payment under the Medicare prospective payment system for hospital outpatient department services of certain items and services that are furnished at off-campus outpatient departments. Specifically, the bill allows for payment of items and services for which payments to physician specialists (under the Medicare physician fee schedule) did not exceed $2 million during the previous year.

Current Status of Bill HR 955

Bill HR 955 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since February 9, 2023. Bill HR 955 was introduced during Congress 118 and was introduced to the House on February 9, 2023.  Bill HR 955's most recent activity was Referred to the Subcommittee on Health. as of December 17, 2024

Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 955

Total Number of Sponsors
2
Democrat Sponsors
0
Republican Sponsors
2
Unaffiliated Sponsors
0
Total Number of Cosponsors
39
Democrat Cosponsors
35
Republican Cosponsors
4
Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 955

Primary Policy Focus

Health

Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 955

SOS: Sustaining Outpatient Services ActSOS: Sustaining Outpatient Services ActTo amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to allow payments under the Medicare program for certain items and services furnished by off-campus outpatient departments of a provider to be determined under the prospective payment system for hospital outpatient department services, and for other purposes.
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