CRITICAL Act

Senate Bill

S. 552

119th Congress

CRITICAL Act

In Committee

Introduced:Feb 12, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Dan Sullivan

Senator

Republican

AK

Cosponsors

1

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Health

Summary

The CRITICAL Act increases Medicare payment rates by 4% for services provided by critical access hospitals in Alaska and Hawaii. This addresses the unique challenges these states face in providing healthcare access, including geographic isolation, high costs of living, and limited provider networks.

Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

The CRITICAL Act increases Medicare payment rates by 4% for services provided by critical access hospitals in Alaska and Hawaii. This addresses the unique challenges these states face in providing healthcare access, including geographic isolation, high costs of living, and limited provider networks.

Last updated: 12/30/2025

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Comprehensive Reimbursement Initiative Targeting Investment and Care in rural Locations or the CRITICAL ActThis bill increases the Medicare payment rate by 4% for services provided by critical access hospitals in Alaska and Hawaii.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Increases Medicare payments 4% for Alaska critical access hospitals
Increases Medicare payments 4% for Hawaii critical access hospitals
Addresses geographic isolation challenges
Supports rural healthcare access in remote states
Helps critical access hospitals remain financially viable
Recognizes unique healthcare delivery costs in Alaska and Hawaii

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

Critical access hospitals in Alaska and Hawaii face uniquely challenging operating environments with extreme distances, limited transportation options, and high costs for supplies, equipment, and personnel. The 4% Medicare payment increase would help these essential facilities remain financially sustainable and continue serving remote communities. Without such support, rural residents in these states could face even longer travel times for basic healthcare services.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Health

Related Subjects

Alaska

Hawaii

Health care costs and insurance

Health care coverage and access

Home and outpatient care

Hospital care

Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care

Medicare

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

552, 119th Congress (2025). "CRITICAL Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-552