Adjusting Medicare critcal access hospital requirements for Guam, American Samoa, the northern mariana islands, and the virgin islands

(a) In General Section 1820(c)(2)(B)(iii) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.S. 1395i–4I(2)(B)(iii)) is amended to read as follows: (iii) provides— (I) in the case of a facility located in 1 of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico, not more than 25 acute care inpatient beds (meeting such standards as the Secretary may establish) for providing inpatient care for a period that does not exceed, as determined on an annual, average basis, 96 hours per patient; or (II) in the case of a facility located in Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, or the United States Virgin Islands, acute care inpatient beds in a number determined appropriate by the Secretary (meeting, such standards as the Secretary may establish) for providing inpatient car for a period that does not exceed, as determined on an annual, average basis, 96 hours per patient.. (b) Effective Date The amendments made by this section shall apply beginning October 1, 2025.