A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish a floor on payments to sole community hospitals located in a non-contiguous State under the hospital outpatient prospective payment system.

Bill 118 s 5184, also known as the "Sole Community Hospital Payment Floor Act," aims to make changes to the Social Security Act in order to ensure that sole community hospitals located in non-contiguous states receive a minimum level of payment under the hospital outpatient prospective payment system.

Sole community hospitals are often the only healthcare providers in rural or remote areas, making them crucial for the well-being of residents in those regions. However, these hospitals face unique challenges, including lower patient volumes and higher operating costs, which can make it difficult for them to stay financially viable.

This bill seeks to address these challenges by establishing a payment floor for sole community hospitals in non-contiguous states. This means that these hospitals would receive a minimum level of payment for services provided under the hospital outpatient prospective payment system, regardless of their patient volume or operating costs. By ensuring that these hospitals receive adequate payment for the services they provide, this bill aims to support the continued operation of sole community hospitals in non-contiguous states and ensure that residents in these areas have access to essential healthcare services. Overall, the Sole Community Hospital Payment Floor Act is designed to improve healthcare access and quality in rural and remote areas by providing financial support to sole community hospitals facing unique challenges.