Physician Led and Rural Access to Quality Care Act
S. 1390119th Congress

Physician Led and Rural Access to Quality Care Act

Introduced in the SenateSen. James Lankford (R-OK)14 sections · 1 min read
Version: is · Apr 20, 2026

Section 1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the Physician Led and Rural Access to Quality Care Act.

(a) In general

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:

(A) In general

The term covered rural hospital means a hospital that—

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

(ii) as of the date that such hospital enrolls under this title, meets the criteria described in clause (i)(I) of section 1820(c)(2)(B).

(B) Clarification

Nothing in this paragraph shall be interpreted as requiring a covered rural hospital to meet any other criteria under section 1820(c)(2)(B).

(b) Allowing for expansion of existing physician-Owned hospitals

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:

(7) Sunset of expansion prohibition

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

to ask questions about this bill.