Bills · S 1629
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 1629Health
Same Care, Lower Cost Act
INTRO MAY 6· LAST ACTION MAY 6
READING
3MIN
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- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it addresses a long-standing issue in healthcare: the price difference for identical medical services based solely on the facility where they are performed. If passed, it could lead to substantial cost savings for the Medicare program and potentially for seniors themselves, as out-of-pocket expenses might decrease for common procedures. By leveling the playing field for payments, it could encourage more competition among healthcare providers and incentivize patients to choose lower-cost settings for appropriate care.
However, it also presents a significant challenge for hospitals, particularly those that rely on higher outpatient payments to subsidize other services, including emergency care. If this bill becomes law, it could shift how healthcare is delivered and paid for, potentially leading to more procedures being performed in standalone clinics and surgical centers, while also forcing hospitals to re-evaluate their financial models. If it doesn't become law, the current payment disparities would continue, along with the associated higher costs for Medicare and beneficiaries.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Medicare will establish 'site neutral' payment rates for certain medical services provided in ambulatory settings.
This means Medicare would pay the same amount for specific procedures, regardless of whether they are performed in a hospital outpatient department or a standalone clinic.
PROVISION 02
The Secretary of Health and Human Services must identify at least 66 categories of services for which these site-neutral payments will apply, starting in 2027.
This provision ensures a wide range of common procedures will be subject to the new payment structure, with the potential for more to be added later.
PROVISION 03
Emergency department visits, critical care, and trauma care provided in hospital outpatient departments are exempt from site-neutral payments.
This exception protects the higher payment rates for essential, high-cost emergency services, acknowledging their unique operational demands.
PROVISION 04
The Secretary must consider recommendations from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) on aligning payment rates.
This ensures expert advice from an independent body is considered when implementing the new payment policies.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 0
R· Louisiana
YRS IN OFFICE
9
BILLS LED
84
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSMAY 6
Introduced in Senate
MAY 6
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
BILL INFO
TypeSenate Bill
NumberS 1629
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedMay 6, 2025
Last actionMay 6, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · FINANCE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED MAY 6, 2025
Senate BillS 1629Health
Same Care, Lower Cost Act
INTRODUCED MAY 6, 2025· LAST ACTION MAY 6, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
3 min
COSPONSORS
0
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
