Bill > S474

This bill, known as the "Fair Funding for Rural Hospitals Act," amends the Social Security Act to establish a minimum Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) allotment for states. DSH allotments are federal payments made to hospitals that serve a large number of low-income patients. Specifically, the bill guarantees that for fiscal year 2025 and beyond, no state will receive a DSH allotment less than $20 million, regardless of previous reduction calculations. From fiscal year 2030 onward, this minimum amount will be adjusted annually for inflation. This provision aims to ensure that rural and safety-net hospitals, which often serve vulnerable populations and operate with tight financial margins, receive a baseline level of federal financial support, helping to maintain healthcare access in underserved communities.

Budget and Finance

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/474/all-info