Congressman Bergman Co-Sponsors Critical Access Hospital Relief Act
Jack Bergman (R-MI) recently co-sponsored H.R. 538, the Critical Access Hospital Relief Act of 2025. This bill aims to remove the 96-hour physician certification requirement for inpatient services at critical access hospitals.
Introduced in January 2025, the bill proposes amending Title XVIII of the Social Security Act by eliminating the mandate that a physician certify a Medicare patient can be reasonably expected to be discharged or transferred within 96 hours after admission.
The goal of this change is to reduce administrative burdens and enhance operational flexibility for rural hospitals, especially when managing patient care during transfer delays or capacity challenges.
The Michigan Hospital Association (MHA) supports this legislation and will continue monitoring its potential impact on Michigan’s critical access hospitals.
Members with questions may contact Lauren LaPine-Ray at the MHA.
Author's summary: This legislation seeks to ease regulatory requirements on rural hospitals, helping them operate more efficiently under patient transfer and staffing pressures.