PATCH Act
Sponsored By: Representative Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2]
Introduced
Summary
Guarantees a minimum 1.5 work geographic index for Medicare physician payments in Hawaii. The bill would require Medicare to raise the work geographic index to 1.5 for services furnished in Hawaii on or after January 1, 2026 when the calculated index is lower, and it specifies that this increase will not be applied in a budget-neutral manner.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Higher Medicare pay for Hawaii doctors
Starting January 1, 2026, Medicare payments in Hawaii would use a minimum work index of 1.5. If the calculated index is lower, HHS would raise it to 1.5. This would increase payments to doctors for services in Hawaii and is not budget neutral. Medicare patients in Hawaii could see better access to physicians.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2]
HI • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1]
HI • D
Sponsored 5/7/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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