hold on there's just too much going on in Congress lmao...
Expands Medicare payment for off-campus hospital outpatient services.
Sen. Hoeven (R-ND) and Sen. Klobuchar (D-MN)
Introduced in Senate, referred to Finance Committee.
The bill amends Medicare law to allow off-campus hospital outpatient departments to be paid under the same system as on-campus departments for certain services. Specifically, it applies to services from physician specialties that received under $2 million total in Medicare payments in the prior year. Sponsors are from both parties and serve on committees overseeing healthcare. Being in committee means it hasn't had a vote yet and may be changed.
Introduced Feb 25, 2026
This bill is under review by a committee. The committee holds hearings, gathers testimony from experts and stakeholders, and may propose amendments. If the committee votes to advance it, the bill moves to the full chamber for debate and a vote.
The bill targets services from less common specialties (e.g., some pediatric subspecialties) that currently bring in less than $2 million a year. By allowing these off-campus departments to be paid at a higher rate, hospitals may be more likely to keep these services open. Patients could see better access to niche specialists at off-campus locations. However, increased payments could lead to higher Medicare spending overall.
Supporters Say
Supporters argue it helps rural and community hospitals keep specialty services open by aligning payments with on-campus rates.
Critics Say
Critics say it could increase Medicare costs without clear evidence of improved patient access or quality.
The bill is backed by a bipartisan pair of senators, potentially reflecting support from hospital groups. Critics might worry about budget neutrality, as higher payments could shift costs to taxpayers or beneficiaries. No official endorsements or opposition are mentioned in the bill text.