Ways and Means Committee Advances ASA-Led Rural Anesthesiology Legislation

The House Ways and Means Committee today unanimously approved ASA-led  H.R. 9642, the Medicare Access to Rural Anesthesiology Act.  The bipartisan bill, expanding a rural incentive payment program to include anesthesiologists,  was approved as part of the Committee's markup and will next move to the House floor for consideration.

H.R. 9642 would help rural hospitals recruit and retain anesthesiologists and strengthen access to physician-led anesthesia care in rural communities. This bill – cosponsored by Congressman John Moolenaar (R-MI), Congressman Jared Huffman (D-CA) – would allow eligible low volume rural hospitals to use  Part A funds through the Medicare Rural Pass-Through program to support anesthesiologist recruitment and retention. Under current law, anesthesiologists are excluded from the program, limiting hospitals' flexibility to build the anesthesia workforce needed to serve rural patients. The legislation would address that gap without increasing program funding, changing hospital eligibility requirements, or reducing access for existing providers.

During the markup, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO) highlighted the importance of protecting access to anesthesia services in rural communities, noting that the legislation would help sustain access to surgical care by providing rural hospitals with additional flexibility to recruit anesthesiologists. Congressman Ron Estes (R-KS) emphasized that the bill does not require hospitals to hire any specific provider type, but instead gives them greater choice in meeting community needs. Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. (R-NC) also voiced support for ensuring anesthesiologists have the same opportunity to participate in the program as other anesthesia professionals.

ASA thanks Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO), Ranking Member Richard Neal (D-MA) and members of the Ways and Means Committee for their leadership in advancing this  important measure. ASA urges the full House to act swiftly on the bill.

• Watch the Hearing here.
• Read ASA’s press release on the Medicare Access to Rural Anesthesiology Act.
• Read H.R. 9642, the Medicare Access to Rural Anesthesiology Act.
• Ask your lawmaker to cosponsor H.R. 9642.
• Watch Chairman Smith’s remarks.
• Watch Congressman Ron Estes' remarks.
• Watch Congressman Greg Murpy’s remarks.