Bill > HR9823

This bill amends the Social Security Act to waive certain distance requirements for rural community hospitals that were participating in a demonstration program as of the date of enactment. Specifically, the bill allows these hospitals to be designated as critical access hospitals, which are small rural hospitals that receive special Medicare payments, even if they do not meet the usual distance requirements. The bill also makes a conforming amendment to clarify that rural community hospitals participating in the demonstration program are not considered critical access hospitals.