Bill > S1960

This bill, known as the "Preserving Emergency Access in Key Sites Act" (PEAKS Act), aims to help certain rural hospitals maintain their critical access hospital (CAH) status and modify ambulance service distance requirements. Specifically, the bill allows hospitals that currently meet mountainous terrain or secondary roads distance requirements to continue being designated as critical access hospitals after January 1, 2026, even if new facilities are built nearby. To qualify, these hospitals must already be designated as a CAH, have previously met the 15-mile distance requirement, and have a new hospital or facility located within 10-15 miles of their current location. Additionally, the bill modifies ambulance service distance requirements for critical access hospitals in mountainous terrain or areas with only secondary roads, extending the allowable drive distance to 15 miles (from the current 35-mile standard) for services provided on or after January 1, 2026. The goal of these provisions is to help maintain healthcare access in rural and geographically challenging areas by providing flexibility for existing critical access hospitals.

Budget and Finance

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1960/all-info