HR 119: Requiring Public Communication of Obstetric Unit Closures

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HR 119: Requiring Public Communication of Obstetric Unit Closures

Direct link to the bill: https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/BILLS-119hr3942ih

Timely Notifications of Impending Hospital Obstetric Unit Closures

In general, section 1866(a)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395cc(a)(1)) is amended:

(1) in subparagraph (X), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end;
(2) in subparagraph (Y)(ii)(V), by striking the period and inserting ‘‘, and’’; and
(3) by inserting after subparagraph (Y) the following new subparagraph:
(Z) beginning 180 days after the date of the enactment of this subparagraph, in the case of a hospital, not less than 180 days prior to the closure of any obstetric unit of the hospital, to submit to the Secretary, any relevant local and State agencies, and the community a notification, which shall include:
- (i) a report analyzing the impact the closure will have on the community, including data on any adverse outcomes and increase in costs relating to obstetric services for such community;
- (ii) steps the hospital will take to identify other health care providers that can alleviate any service gaps as a result of the closure;
- (iii) the cause of the closure of such obstetric unit;
- (iv) data regarding historic transportation costs related to obstetric services in such community; and
- (v) any additional information as may be required by the Secretary.

State Requirement to Post Reports

Section 1902(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)), as amended by section 201(a)(1), is further amended:

(1) in paragraph (87), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end;
(2) in paragraph (88), by striking the period at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (88) the following new paragraph:
(89) provide that the State will make publicly available, on the website of any relevant State agency, any report received by the State from a hospital pursuant to section 1866(a)(1)(Z)(i).

Collection of Data Relating to Hospital Labor and Delivery Services

Section 1866(a)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395cc(a)(1)), as amended by section 401, is further amended:

(1) in subparagraph (Y)(ii)(V), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end;
(2) in subparagraph (Z), by striking the period and inserting ‘‘, and’’; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
(AA) in the case of a hospital, to include in cost reports submitted under this title for cost reporting periods beginning on or after July 1, 2026—
- (i) the number of births that occurred at such hospital during the cost reporting period, delineated by the number of cesarean births and vaginal births;
- (ii) the number of antenatal and postpartum transfers from the hospital to other hospitals;
- (iii) data on the number and characteristics of the staff providing labor and delivery services at such hospital;
- (iv) the expenses the hospital incurred for providing labor and delivery services at such hospital, including nursing care, anesthesia, and operating room services;
- (v) the amount the hospital spent for on-call coverage for labor and delivery services by physicians and midwives; and
- (vi) the amount and sources of revenue received by such hospital for labor and delivery services, including payments received for—
  - (I) items and services furnished to individuals eligible for coverage under a State plan under title XIX (or a waiver of such a plan);
  - (II) items and services furnished to individuals with other forms of health insurance or third-party coverage; and
  - (III) items and services furnished to individuals without health insurance or other source of third-party coverage.

This reform aims to ensure that hospitals provide timely notifications to the public about impending closures of obstetric units, which can have a significant impact on communities.