Save Struggling Hospitals Act

Progress

Timeline

• Mar 26Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Summary

This bill would make permanent a Medicare payment policy for hospitals in low-wage areas. **What it does:** Currently, Medicare pays hospitals based partly on local wage levels - hospitals in areas with lower average wages receive smaller payments. This bill would codify (make into law) a policy that provides additional payment adjustments to help these "low-wage index" hospitals. **Who it affects:** - Hospitals located in areas where average wages are below the national average - Medicare patients who receive care at these hospitals - Rural and economically disadvantaged communities that often have lower wage indexes **What would change:** - Low-wage area hospitals would receive more predictable, legally guaranteed payment adjustments from Medicare - This could help these hospitals maintain services and financial stability - The policy, which may currently exist through regulations, would become permanent federal law rather than being subject to administrative changes The bill aims to address geographic payment disparities in Medicare that can disadvantage hospitals in lower-income areas.

How This Affects You