Rural Surgery Sustainability Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3]
Introduced
Summary
Expands Medicare cost-pass-through payments for certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) to support surgical care in smaller hospitals while tying payment growth to the Medicare Economic Index and regular reviews.
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- Non–labor-and-delivery hospitals would see the surgical procedure volume cap for CRNA cost pass-throughs rise from 500 to 1,250 procedures. Hospitals that have an active labor and delivery unit would not get the higher volume cap.
- Hospitals with active labor and delivery units would be exempt from any annual hours limit on anesthetist services beginning in 2027. For other hospitals the hours limit would be revised to track the higher volume cap.
- Medicare payment limits for these cost-based CRNA services would be set each year by increasing the prior-year limit by the Medicare Economic Index. The Secretary would do a biannual review of the volume and hours limits in consultation with the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, and the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission would report within one year on on-call CRNA services and sustainable payment options.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More Medicare support for nurse anesthetists
If enacted, this bill would raise the Medicare procedure count that qualifies for the nurse-anesthetist cost pass-through from 500 to 1,250 procedures. The change would take effect for services furnished on or after January 1, 2027. The increase would not apply to a hospital in any year it has an active labor and delivery unit; those hospitals would instead not be subject to any limit on total anesthetist hours starting in 2027. The Secretary would revise the anesthetist-hours limit to match the higher volume limit, review both limits at least once every 2 years with the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, and set each year's payment limit using that year's Medicare Economic Index increase. MedPAC would have to report to Congress within 1 year on whether on-call nurse-anesthetist services should be payable under the pass-through and on sustainable payment options.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3]
KS • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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