[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 538 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 538 To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to remove the 96-hour physician certification requirement for inpatient critical access hospital services. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 16, 2025 Mr. Smith of Nebraska (for himself and Ms. Sewell) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to remove the 96-hour physician certification requirement for inpatient critical access hospital services. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Critical Access Hospital Relief Act of 2025''. SEC. 2. REMOVING MEDICARE 96-HOUR PHYSICIAN CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENT FOR INPATIENT CRITICAL ACCESS HOSPITAL SERVICES. (a) In General.--Section 1814(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395f(a)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (6), by adding ``and'' at the end; (2) in paragraph (7), at the end of subparagraph (E), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a period; and (3) by striking paragraph (8). (b) Application.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to items and services furnished on or after January 1, 2026. <all>