H.R. 5531 — Introduced in House

I 113th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 5531 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES September 18, 2014 Mr. Cartwright (for himself and Mr. Marino) 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 permit the 2-year phase-in for changes in hospital wage index classification from rural to urban without requiring waiver of a wage index increase, and for other purposes. 1. Permitting 2-year phase-in of hospital wage index reclassification from rural to urban without requiring waiver of wage index increase Section 1886(d)(13)(G) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ww(d)(13)(G)) is amended— (1) by striking (G) A hospital and inserting (G)(i) Except as provided in clause (ii), a hospital; and (2) by adding at the end the following new clause: (ii) In the case of any hospital which is located in an area which, at any time after September 30, 2014, is reclassified from a rural to an urban area, such hospital shall not be required to waive the application of a wage index increase under this paragraph in order to be eligible for reclassification under paragraph (8)(E) (related to treating hospitals as being located in a rural area) for the first two fiscal years for which the reclassification from rural to urban is effective. The Secretary shall treat any hospital described in this clause that reclassifies as rural under paragraph (8)(E) during such two fiscal years as not having waived the application of the wage index increase under this paragraph. .