Bill would extend Medicare's site-neutral hospital payment rule through 2032
In markupH.R. 9468Latest action
Sponsor: Kevin Hern · Representative · OK
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: STAR Act
119th Congress
Topics: Health care
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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The STAR Act extends Medicare's site-neutral payment policy for long-term care hospitals through 2032 and adds new qualifying criteria.
40-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
This bill extends Medicare's site-neutral payment rule for long-term care hospitals (LTCHs) through 2032 instead of letting it expire in 2026. It adds a new "high acuity criterion" allowing more patients to qualify for higher payment rates, and expands existing ICU and ventilator payment categories to include patients transferred from critical access hospitals.
Who does it affect?
The bill affects long-term care hospitals, the regular and rural hospitals that transfer patients to them, and Medicare patients needing extended, intensive hospital care.
Why does it matter?
The changes could affect which hospitals qualify for higher Medicare payments for certain very sick patients, potentially influencing hospitals' financial stability and admission decisions. It does not change coverage or costs for most everyday Medicare beneficiaries.
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Where does it stand?
- IntroducedJun 25, 2026
- House committeeYou are here · Jul 15, 2026
- House vote
- Senate
- The president's desk
Right now: a House committee is reviewing it. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 40 - 0.