H.R. 7409

119 HR 7409 IH: Defend Rural Health Act of 2026
 U.S. House of Representatives
 2026-02-05
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 I  119th CONGRESS  2d Session  H. R. 7409  IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES   February 5, 2026   Mr. Taylor  (for himself and  Mrs. Miller of West Virginia ) 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 limit the geographic reclassification of certain hospitals under the Medicare program.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   Defend Rural Health Act of 2026  .
2.
Limiting geographic reclassification of hospitals under Medicare
(a)
In general
Section 1886(d)(8)(E) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395ww(d)(8)(E) ) is amended—
(1)
in clause (i), by striking  described in clause (ii)  and inserting  that is located in an urban area (as defined in paragraph (2)(D)) and meets any of the criteria described in subclause (I), (II), or (IV) of clause (ii) (or, with respect to a hospital submitting such an application before October 1, 2026, meets any of the criteria described in such clause) ;
(2)
in clause (ii)—
(A)
in the matter preceding subclause (I), by striking  a subsection (d) hospital  and all that follows through  criteria:  and inserting  the criteria described in this clause are the following: ; and
(B)
in subclause (II)—
(i)
by inserting  that is  before  designated by any law ; and
(ii)
by inserting  , and that was so designated as of January 1, 2026  before the period at the end; and
(3)
by adding at the end the following new clause:
(iii)
No subsection (d) hospital shall be treated as being located in a rural area of a State under this subparagraph on or after October 1, 2029, regardless of any application described in clause (i) submitted prior to October 1, 2026, unless such hospital demonstrates to the Secretary (in a form and manner specified by the Secretary) that such hospital meets any of the criteria described in subclause (I), (II), or (IV) of clause (ii).
 .
(b)
Prohibiting dual reclassifications through the Medicare Geographic Classification Review Board
Section 1886(d)(10)(D) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395ww(d)(10)(D) ) is amended—
(1)
in clause (v), by striking  Any decision  and inserting  Subject to clause (viii), any decision ; and
(2)
by adding at the end the following new clauses:
(vii)
Such guidelines shall provide that the Board may not approve an application described in subparagraph (C)(i) submitted by a subsection (d) hospital requesting a change in geographic classification for a fiscal year beginning on or after October 1, 2026, if such hospital is treated as being located in a rural area under paragraph (8)(E) for such fiscal year.
(viii)
With respect to a fiscal year beginning on or after October 1, 2026, no change in the geographic classification of a subsection (d) hospital that would otherwise be in effect for such fiscal year pursuant to a decision of the Board shall be effective for any portion of such fiscal year during which such hospital is treated as being located in a rural area under paragraph (8)(E).
 .