Smith Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Repeal Medicare’s 96 Hour Rule

Washington, D.C. –Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) released the following statement after introducing H.R.5507, the Critical Access Hospital Relief Act of 2018.

“Medicare’s 96 hour rule requires physicians to certify at the time of admission their intent to discharge or transfer the patient to another hospital within four days. This arbitrary requirement risks depriving patients in rural areas like much of Nebraska’s Third District of the critical care necessary to save lives.

While I appreciate the administration taking steps to mitigate the impact of this burdensome regulation, I continue to hear from Third District providers about the importance of certainty, which can only be achieved through legislation. The Critical Access Hospital Relief Act will empower physicians to act in the best interests of their patients by providing them a permanent solution.”

The text of H.R. 5507 can be viewed here.