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HCR 1007

TO ENCOURAGE THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO REEVALUATE THE MEDICARE PHYSICIAN FEE SCHEDULE LOCALITY STRUCTURE AND ENSURE ACCURATE GEOGRAPHIC PRACTICE COST INDICES FOR THE METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREAS OF THIS STATE.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Brandon Achor and 7 co-sponsors

Urges Congress to reevaluate Medicare locality designations and GPIs for Arkansas, separately recognizing Fayetteville and Little Rock metros to better reflect true regional costs.

Approved by the Governor
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HCR 1007

Summary: House Concurrent Resolution HCR 1007 (Arkansas, 95th General Assembly, 2025)

Overview

  • Title: TO ENCOURAGE THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO REEVALUATE THE MEDICARE PHYSICIAN FEE SCHEDULE LOCALITY STRUCTURE AND ENSURE ACCURATE GEOGRAPHIC PRACTICE COST INDICES FOR THE METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREAS OF THIS STATE.
  • Type: Concurrent Resolution (non-binding on state law; expresses the State’s position and urges federal action)
  • Status: Approved by the Governor
  • Introduced: February 25, 2025
  • Sponsors: House — Rep. Painter (primary), Rep. K. Moore (co-sponsor), Rep. McAlindon (co-sponsor), Rep. Achor, Rep. Vaught, Rep. Lundstrum; Senate — Sen. C. Penzo (primary), Sen. (cosponsors listed)
  • Legislative actions timeline: Filed 2/25/2025; Do Pass by committee 3/4/2025; Readings and transmission between House and Senate in early March 2025; Senate concurrence 3/10/2025; Enrolled and transmitted to Governor; Governor signed 3/12/2025

Purpose and intent

HCR 1007 urges the United States Congress to reevaluate how Medicare assigns localities for physician payment and how Geographic Practice Cost Indices (GPCIs) are established in Arkansas. The resolution asserts that current structures undervalue costs in certain Arkansas metropolitan areas and creates a push to align Medicare reimbursement with actual regional costs, thereby improving access to medical services for Arkansans.

Key provisions

The resolution sets forth four main requests to Congress:
1. Conduct a thorough review of the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule locality structure as it applies to Arkansas to ensure reimbursement reflects regional cost structures.
2. Examine and reassess the Geographic Practice Cost Indices assigned to Arkansas to guarantee accuracy of expenses incurred by healthcare providers across the state.
3. Carve out two Arkansas Career Metropolitan Statistical Areas (delta CBSA designations) into separate locality numbers:
- CBSA 22220: Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR
- CBSA 30780: Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR
to reflect their distinct economic conditions.
4. Take swift action to correct inaccuracies to prevent ongoing financial disadvantages for Arkansas healthcare providers and to ensure equitable access to medical services for residents.

Additionally, the resolution directs the Chief Clerk to send copies to Arkansas’s congressional delegation and key federal agencies (CMS Administrator, HHS Secretary, and OMB Director).

What would be affected

  • This is a federal-policy-oriented action; Arkansas seeks to influence Medicare’s payment framework, not to change state law directly.
  • If acted upon by Congress, potential effects could include:
    • Reclassification of Arkansas localities into separate Medicare locality numbers for the two CBSA areas named.
    • Revisions to GPCI calculations that could alter physician payments in Arkansas metropolitan areas.
    • Indirect impact on provider financial planning, practice costs, and patient access in Arkansas.

Procedural and timeline considerations

  • The resolution emphasizes prompt federal action and outreach.
  • It provides a formal mechanism for Arkansas to communicate its position to federal authorities and to seek alignment between Medicare reimbursements and actual regional costs.

Bottom line

HCR 1007 is a non-binding, state-level request urging federal action to reevaluate Medicare locality designations and GPIs for Arkansas, with a focus on separately recognizing the Fayetteville–Springdale–Rogers and Little Rock–North Little Rock–Conway metropolitan areas to better reflect their distinct cost environments. The bill has completed its passage and has been enacted with the Governor’s approval.

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

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