Physician Led and Rural Access to Quality Care Act

Section 1877 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395nn) is amended—

(1) in subsection (d)—

(A) in paragraph (2)(C), by inserting (other than a covered rural hospital (as defined in subsection (h))) after a hospital; and

(B) in paragraph (3)(D), by inserting in the case of a hospital other than a covered rural hospital (as defined in subsection (h)), before the hospital; and

(2) in subsection (h), by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

The term covered rural hospital means a hospital that—

(A) is located in a rural area (as defined in section 1886(d)(2)(D)); and

(B) as of the date that such hospital enrolls under this title, is located more than a 35-mile drive (or, in the case of mountainous terrain or in areas with only secondary roads available, a 15-mile drive) from a hospital or a critical access hospital.

Section 1877(i) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395nn(i)) is amended—

(1) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking in paragraph (3) and inserting in paragraph (3) or (7); and

(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

The requirement described in paragraph (1)(B) shall not apply beginning on the date of the enactment of this paragraph.