Inclusion of rural emergency hospital services under Medicaid

(a) In general Section 1905(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d(a)) is amended— (1) in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting (including rural emergency hospital services, as defined in section 1861(kkk)(1), which are licensed or otherwise approved by the State) after services; and (2) in paragraph (4)(A), by inserting but including services provided in a nursing facility that is a distinct part unit of a rural emergency hospital, as defined in section 1861(kkk)(2) after diseases. (b) Effective date (1) In general Subject to paragraph (2), the amendments made by this subsection shall apply with respect to medical assistance provided on or after the date of enactment of this Act. (2) Exception for state legislation In the case of a State plan under title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.) that the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation in order for such plan to meet any requirement imposed by the amendments made by this section, such plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such title solely on the basis of its failure to meet such an additional requirement before the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act. For purposes of the previous sentence, in the case of a State that has a 2-year legislative session, each year of the session shall be considered to be a separate regular session of the State legislature.