A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to rebase the calculation of payments for sole community hospitals and Medicare-dependent hospitals, and for other purposes.

2/4/2025, 11:56 AM

Summary of Bill S 335

Bill 119 s 335, also known as the Sole Community Hospital and Medicare-Dependent Hospital Improvement Act of 2021, aims to make changes to the way payments are calculated for sole community hospitals and Medicare-dependent hospitals under title XVIII of the Social Security Act.

The bill proposes to rebase the calculation of payments for these types of hospitals, which are often located in rural or underserved areas and rely heavily on Medicare reimbursements to stay operational. By adjusting the payment calculations, the bill seeks to ensure that these hospitals receive fair and adequate compensation for the services they provide to Medicare beneficiaries.

In addition to rebasing payment calculations, the bill also includes provisions for other purposes related to the improvement of sole community hospitals and Medicare-dependent hospitals. These provisions may include measures to enhance quality of care, increase access to services, or address specific challenges faced by these types of hospitals. Overall, Bill 119 s 335 aims to support and strengthen sole community hospitals and Medicare-dependent hospitals by making necessary adjustments to payment calculations and implementing other measures to improve the quality and accessibility of care provided by these vital healthcare facilities.

Congressional Summary of S 335

Rural Hospital Support Act

This bill modifies and extends certain payment adjustments for rural hospitals under Medicare's inpatient prospective payment system.

Specifically, the bill indexes payment adjustments for sole community hospitals and Medicare-dependent hospitals to FY2016 operating costs, if it results in higher payments for such hospitals. The bill also makes payment adjustments for Medicare-dependent hospitals and low-volume hospitals permanent (the adjustments currently expire on March 31, 2025).

Current Status of Bill S 335

Bill S 335 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since January 30, 2025. Bill S 335 was introduced during Congress 119 and was introduced to the Senate on January 30, 2025. Bill S 335's most recent activity was Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. as of January 30, 2025

Bipartisan Support of Bill S 335

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Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill S 335

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Alternate Title(s) of Bill S 335

A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to rebase the calculation of payments for sole community hospitals and Medicare-dependent hospitals, and for other purposes.