119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 9163


To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to ensure that facilities do not lose critical access hospital status as a result of a roadway or transportation infrastructure improvement.


IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 4, 2026

Mr. Thompson of Mississippi (for himself, Mr. Horsford, Mr. Figures, Mr. Davis of Illinois, Mr. Veasey, Mr. Fields, and Mrs. McIver) 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 ensure that facilities do not lose critical access hospital status as a result of a roadway or transportation infrastructure improvement.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. Short title.

This Act may be cited as the “Critical Access Hospital Roadway Impact Protections Act of 2026” or the “Critical Access Hospital RIP Act of 2026”.

SEC. 2. Ensuring that facilities do not lose critical access hospital status as a result of a roadway or transportation infrastructure improvement.

Section 1820(c)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395i–4(c)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

“(F) DISREGARD OF SUBSEQUENT ROADWAY OR TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS.—

“(i) IN GENERAL.—A facility that is or at any point was designated as a critical access hospital by a State under subparagraph (B) that would meet the criterion specified in clause (i)(I) of such subparagraph but for a roadway or transportation infrastructure improvement completed on or after the date of such designation shall be deemed to continue to meet such criterion.

“(ii) ROADWAY OR TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT DEFINED.—For purposes of clause (i), the term ‘roadway or transportation infrastructure improvement’ includes—

“(I) the construction, realignment, widening, or enhancement of a highway or roadway; and

“(II) the construction or modification of a bridge, overpass, or tunnel.”.