Senate Bill
Dan Sullivan
Senator
Cosponsors
2
Policy Area
Summary
This bill allows Medicare payments for hospital outpatient services in Alaska or Hawaii to include cost-of-living adjustments. It addresses the higher costs of providing healthcare in these remote states.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill allows Medicare payments for hospital outpatient services in Alaska or Hawaii to include cost-of-living adjustments. It addresses the higher costs of providing healthcare in these remote states.
Last updated: 1/5/2026
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Ensuring Outpatient Quality for Rural States Act</strong></p><p>This bill allows Medicare payments for covered hospital outpatient services in Alaska or Hawaii to include certain cost-of-living adjustments.</p>
Main provisions of the bill
Potential effects on citizens and communities
Healthcare providers in Alaska and Hawaii would receive fairer Medicare reimbursements. Patients in these states could benefit from improved healthcare access. Rural hospitals in high-cost areas would have more sustainable operations.
Primary Policy Area
Related Subjects
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
551, 119th Congress (2025). "Ensuring Outpatient Quality for Rural States Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-551