[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 870 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 870 To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to make improvements to the redistribution of residency slots under the Medicare program after a hospital closes. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 31, 2025 Ms. Lee of Nevada (for herself and Mr. Balderson) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to make improvements to the redistribution of residency slots under the Medicare program after a hospital closes. 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 ``Physicians for Underserved Areas Act''. SEC. 2. IMPROVEMENTS TO THE REDISTRIBUTION OF RESIDENCY SLOTS UNDER THE MEDICARE PROGRAM AFTER A HOSPITAL CLOSES. (a) In General.--Section 1886(h)(4)(H)(vi) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ww(h)(4)(H)(vi)) is amended-- (1) in subclause (II)-- (A) by striking item (cc) and redesignating item (dd) as item (cc); and (B) in item (cc), as redesignated under subparagraph (A)-- (i) by striking ``Fourth'' and inserting ``Third''; and (ii) by striking ``item (cc)'' and inserting ``item (bb)''; and (2) in subclause (III), by striking ``likelihood of filling'' and all that follows and inserting the following: ``likelihood of-- ``(aa) starting to utilize the positions made available under this clause within 2 years; and ``(bb) filling the positions made available under this clause within 5 years.''. (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply to the redistribution of residency slots with respect to hospitals that close on or after the date of enactment of this Act. <all>