119 HR 3778 IH: Preserving Emergency Access in Key Sites Act U.S. House of Representatives 2025-06-05 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I119th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 3778IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJune 5, 2025Mrs. Miller of West Virginia (for herself and Ms. Lofgren) 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 concernedA BILLTo amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to update the fee schedule for ambulance services provided by critical access hospitals.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Preserving Emergency Access in Key Sites Act or the PEAKS Act.

2.

Update to fee schedule for ambulance services provided by critical access hospitals

Section 1834(l)(8) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(l)(8)) is amended in the flush left text following subparagraph (B) by inserting (or, in the case of mountainous terrain or in areas with only secondary roads available, a 15-mile drive) after 35-mile drive.

3.

Treatment of hospitals that met mountainous terrain or secondary roads distance requirement for designation as critical access hospital

Section 1820(h) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395i–4(h)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (4)

Treatment of hospitals that met mountainous terrain or secondary roads distance requirements for designation

(A)

In general

Beginning January 1, 2026, in the case of a hospital described in subparagraph (B), such hospital shall be deemed to meet the 15-mile distance requirement for mountainous terrain or secondary roads described in subsection (c)(2)(B)(i)(I). (B)

Hospital described

A hospital described in this subparagraph is a hospital that— (i)as of the date of enactment of this paragraph, is designated as a critical access hospital; (ii)demonstrates (in a manner determined by the Secretary) that the hospital met the 15-mile distance requirement for mountainous terrain or secondary roads described in subsection (c)(2)(B)(i)(I) as of the hospital’s last certification as a critical access hospital; and (iii)after such date of enactment, has a new hospital or other facility described in this subsection that is located not less than 10, but no more than 15, miles from the hospital. (C)

Regulations

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this paragraph, the Secretary shall promulgate regulations to carry out this paragraph..