S.553 - Save our Lone Emergency Services Act; SOLES Act (119th Congress)
Summary
S.553, the Save Our Lone Emergency Services Act (SOLES Act), aims to amend Title XVIII of the Social Security Act. The bill focuses on establishing a payment floor for sole community hospitals in Alaska and Hawaii under the hospital outpatient prospective payment system. This ensures these hospitals receive at least 94% of their reasonable costs for covered outpatient services.
Expected Effects
The SOLES Act will likely increase federal payments to qualifying hospitals in Alaska and Hawaii. This will help to stabilize their finances and ensure continued access to emergency and outpatient services in these remote areas. The bill mandates the Secretary to issue regulations within six months of enactment to implement these changes, effective the following January.
Potential Benefits
- Ensures financial stability for sole community hospitals in Alaska and Hawaii.
- Maintains access to crucial outpatient and emergency services in remote areas.
- Addresses the unique challenges faced by hospitals in these states due to their geographic isolation and high costs.
- Improves healthcare access for residents of Alaska and Hawaii.
- Provides a financial safety net, ensuring a minimum level of reimbursement for services.
Potential Disadvantages
- May increase overall healthcare costs to the federal government.
- Could create a precedent for similar payment adjustments for other types of hospitals or in other states.
- Potential for increased administrative burden related to compliance and oversight.
- Might not fully address all the financial challenges faced by these hospitals.
- Could lead to some hospitals becoming overly reliant on federal subsidies.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the General Welfare Clause of the Constitution, as it aims to provide essential healthcare services to citizens in Alaska and Hawaii. Congress has the power to enact laws necessary and proper for executing its enumerated powers, including providing for the general welfare through healthcare legislation (Article I, Section 8). The bill does not appear to infringe on any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).