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Bill

HR 9108

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to adjust the eligibility for the rural emergency hospital designation under the Medicare program.

119th Congress Introduced by Derek Schmidt

The bill would change Medicare REH eligibility rules to redefine which rural facilities can qualify for rural emergency hospital designation.

Introduced in House
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 9108

Bill overview

  • Name: HR 9108
  • Session: 119
  • Jurisdiction: United States
  • Title: To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to adjust the eligibility for the rural emergency hospital designation under the Medicare program
  • Introduced: 2026-06-02
  • Primary action: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means
  • Sponsor: Rep. (co-sponsor) Derek Schmidt

Purpose and intent

The bill proposes changes to Medicare eligibility rules to modify how facilities can qualify for the rural emergency hospital (REH) designation under the Medicare program. The REH designation affects payment rules, regulatory requirements, and operating flexibility for facilities serving rural communities. The core intent is to broaden or alter eligibility criteria to better accommodate rural hospitals seeking REH status, with potential implications for funding, staffing, and service delivery in rural areas.

Key provisions and changes (as implied by the bill’s title and purpose)

  • Amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act: The bill targets the Medicare program's provisions surrounding the REH designation.
  • Adjust eligibility criteria: The primary change is to adjust which hospitals or facilities can qualify as rural emergency hospitals. This could involve:
    • Thresholds for location (rural designation criteria)
    • Minimum service levels or capabilities required to be designated
    • Financial or operational criteria (e.g., bed counts, service lines, staffing standards)
    • Certification or approval processes for designation
  • Implications for designation process: The adjustment may modify how facilities apply for REH status, how CMS evaluates eligibility, and possibly the window for maintaining designation.

Note: The exact textual changes (e.g., specific section amendments, percentages, or dates) are not provided in the brief action history. The above reflects typical areas affected when amending REH eligibility in Medicare statute.

Who and what would be affected

  • Rural hospitals and prospective REHs: Facilities seeking REH designation could experience changes in eligibility, which might either widen or narrow access depending on the final drafting.
  • Medicare program and beneficiaries in rural areas: REH designation affects Medicare payment structures, patient throughput, and access to emergency care in rural communities.
  • States and rural health systems: State-wide planning and funding strategies may shift in response to altered REH eligibility, potentially impacting hospital networks and service availability.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and sponsor: Bill introduced in the House, with Derek Schmidt as a co-sponsor.
  • Referral: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means on 2026-06-02.
  • Next steps: The committee would review, hold hearings if scheduled, and may mark up the bill to report it back to the House for consideration. If reported, it would move through House consideration and, if passed, advance through the Senate and to the President for signature (subject to the legislative process).

Practical considerations and potential impacts

  • Access to emergency care in rural areas could be affected, depending on how eligibility is adjusted for REH designation.
  • Hospitals might experience changes in funding, reimbursement rates, and regulatory burden as REH status influences Medicare payment methodologies.
  • Stakeholders (rural health advocates, hospital administrators, patient groups) may weigh in on whether the change improves sustainability and care access.

For a complete understanding, reviewing the exact text of HR 9108 and any committee reports or fiscal impact statements would be necessary to detail the precise amendments and their numerical thresholds.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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