Permanently extending payment levels for low-volume hospitals and Medicare-dependent hospitals (MDHs)

(a) Extension of increased payments for MDHs (1) Extension of payment methodology Section 1886(d)(5)(G) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ww(d)(5)(G)) is amended— (A) in clause (i), by striking, and before October 1, 2025; and (B) in clause (ii)(II), by striking, and before October 1, 2025. (2) Conforming amendments (A) Extension of target amount Section 1886(b)(3)(D) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ww(b)(3)(D)) is amended— (i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking, and before October 1, 2025; and (ii) in clause (iv), by striking through fiscal year 2025 and inserting or a subsequent fiscal year. (B) Extending the period during which hospitals can decline reclassification as urban Section 13501(e)(2) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C. 1395ww note) is amended by striking through fiscal year 2025 and inserting, or a subsequent fiscal year. (b) Extension of increased payments for low-Volume hospitals Section 1886(d)(12) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ww(d)(12)) is amended— (1) in subparagraph (B)— (A) in the subparagraph heading, by inserting for fiscal years 2005 through 2010 after increase; and (B) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking and for discharges occurring in fiscal year 2026 and subsequent fiscal years; (2) in subparagraph (C)(i)— (A) in the matter preceding subclause (I), by striking through 2025 and inserting and each subsequent fiscal year; (B) in subclause (II), by adding and at the end; (C) in subclause (III)— (i) by striking fiscal years 2019 through 2025 and inserting fiscal year 2019 and each subsequent fiscal year; and (ii) by striking; and and inserting a period; and (D) by striking subclause (IV); and (3) in subparagraph (D)— (A) by amending the heading to read as follows: Permanent Applicable percentage increase; (B) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking in fiscal years 2011 through 2025 and inserting in fiscal year 2011 or a subsequent fiscal year; and (C) in clause (ii), by striking each of fiscal years 2019 through 2025 and inserting fiscal year 2019 and each subsequent fiscal year.