ACS Advocating for Critical Access Hospital Relief Act

Editor's Note

A central issue discussed at the US House Committee on Ways and Means on July 28 was the Critical Access Hospital (CAH) Relief Act, HR 169, which is supported by the American College of Surgeons (ACS).

Currently, for CAHs to receive Medicare Part A reimbursement, physicians must certify that patients being admitted to a CAH can be expected to be discharged or transferred within 96 hours.

ACS maintains that rural patients should be allowed to seek care in a familiar setting close to where they live, if this care can be provided safely and appropriately. HR 169 repeals the requirement for discharge or transfer.

The U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health met July 28 to discuss rural health care disparities and their relationship to Medicare regulations. One of the central issues discussed at the meeting was the American College of Surgeons-supported Critical Access Hospital Relief Act, H.R. 169.