I 115th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 5507 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 13, 2018 Mr. Smith of Nebraska 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 remove the 96-hour physician certification requirement for inpatient critical access hospital services.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Critical Access Hospital Relief Act of 2018 . 2. Removing Medicare 96-hour physician certification requirement for inpatient critical access hospital services (a) In general Section 1814(a) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395f(a) ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (6), by adding and at the end; (2) in paragraph (7), at the end of subparagraph (E), by striking and and inserting a period; and (3) by striking paragraph (8). (b) Application The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to items and services furnished on or after January 1, 2018.