Rural Health Care Access Act of 2025
The Rural Health Care Access Act of 2025 would modify the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Program by removing mileage-based distance limitations for designating facilities located in rural areas as Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs). In practical terms, states would be authorized to designate rural facilities as CAHs without regard to how far they are from other hospitals, expanding eligibility beyond the current distance constraints. The changes apply to designations or redesignations made on or after enactment and would fit within the existing CAH framework under Section 1820 of the Social Security Act. The bill was introduced in the 119th Congress on January 28, 2025, by several representatives and referred to the Ways and Means Committee.
Key Points
- 1Removes mileage limitations: States can designate rural facilities as CAHs without distance-based restrictions to proximity of other hospitals.
- 2Legislative change: Amends Section 1820 of the Social Security Act, specifically subsection (c)(2)(B)(i) and subsection (h)(3) to remove certain criteria (subclauses I and II) related to designation rules.
- 3Prospective effect: Applies to designations or redesignations made on or after the enactment date of the act.
- 4Scope within existing CAH program: Makes the designation process more flexible while leaving other CAH program requirements (e.g., the underlying concept of CAHs and their funding structure) to remain governed by current law.
- 5Introduction and process: The bill was introduced by multiple representatives and referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means; it does not indicate retroactive changes or funding amounts beyond the statutory amendment.