HR 3581119th CongressIntroduced

Protect DSH Act

Introduced: May 23, 2025

HealthcareSocial Services

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

H.R. 3581, titled the Protect DSH Act, would delay planned reductions to Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) payments under the Medicaid program. It amends section 1923(f) of the Social Security Act to push back the dates when DSH cuts were scheduled to take effect. Specifically, reductions that were set for 2026–2028 would now occur in 2029–2031, and the reduction previously scheduled for 2027 would instead take effect in 2031. The bill does not provide new funding or offsets; it simply extends the period during which DSH payments remain higher than they would have under the original schedule. Introduced by Rep. Crenshaw on May 23, 2025, and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Key Points

1Delays DSH payment reductions: 2026–2028 reductions moved to 2029–2031; 2027 reduction moved to 2031.
2Changes are made to section 1923(f) of the Social Security Act (the Medicaid DSH payment rules).
3The bill is a temporary postponement of planned reductions, extending higher DSH payments for additional years.
4No funding offsets or new appropriations are specified in the text; the measure changes timing only.
5Status: Introduced in the House (May 23, 2025) and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce; sponsor is Rep. Crenshaw.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected: Hospitals that rely on DSH payments, especially safety-net and high-M Medicaid/uninsured-patient hospitals; states with large DSH populations.Secondary group/area affected: Medicaid programs and state budgets; federal Medicaid outlays in the near term; patients served by affected hospitals.Additional impacts: Could influence hospital capacity and safety-net care availability in the near term; affects ongoing discussions about federal Medicaid spending and DSH policy, including future budgeting and reform debates.

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