No CRS summary available for this bill.
This section establishes an alternative pathway, beginning October 1, 2026, for states to designate a facility as a critical access hospital without regard to the rural location and bed-size criteria if the facility meets at least three of five specified conditions, including delivering services to TRICARE beneficiaries and veterans in rural areas, deriving at least 8 percent of gross revenue or 15 percent of labor-and-delivery revenue from TRICARE, not being a sole community hospital, or being located on an Indian reservation. It also permits such a facility to establish psychiatric or rehabilitation distinct-part units without regard to the existing bed limitation.