II 111th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1479 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 21, 2009 Ms. Klobuchar (for herself and Mr. Franken) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance A BILL To provide for the treatment of certain hospitals.

1.

Medicare critical access hospital designation

Section 405(h) of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (Public Law 108–173; 117 Stat. 2269) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (3)

Exception

(A)

In general

The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall not apply to the certification by the State of Minnesota on or after January 1, 2006, under section 1820(c)(2)(B)(i)(II) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395i–4(c)(2)(B)(i)(II)) of one hospital that meets the criteria described in subparagraph (B) and is located in Cass County, Minnesota, as a necessary provider of health care services to residents in the area of the hospital. (B)

Criteria described

A hospital meets the criteria described in this subparagraph if the hospital— (i)has been granted an exception by the State to an otherwise applicable statutory restriction on hospital construction or licensing prior to the date of enactment of this subparagraph; and (ii)is located on property which the State has approved for conveyance to a county within the State prior to such date of enactment. .