Contact Congress about H.R. 4250: SOLES Act

Some Alaska and Hawaii hospitals would get a Medicare payment floor for outpatient care. If normal Medicare pay falls below 94% of their reasonable costs, Medicare would make up the difference. Patients’ copays would stay the same.

Modern Action explains legislation in plain English, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.

SOLES Act is a House bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Latest action on H.R. 4250: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Who this affects: This bill mainly affects sole community hospitals in Alaska and Hawaii and the Medicare patients who use them. These hospitals could get higher Medicare payments for outpatient care when normal payments fall short of 94% of their reasonable costs. Patients would keep the same copay rules, so the added payment would come from Medicare instead of their pockets.

Why this matters: This bill could help some remote hospitals recover more of the cost of outpatient care. In Alaska and Hawaii, distance, shipping, staffing, and limited nearby options can make care more expensive. The bill could support access to local hospital care for Medicare patients. It could also raise Medicare spending because the added payments would not be offset elsewhere in the outpatient payment system.

Key provisions in H.R. 4250

• The bill applies only to sole community hospitals in Alaska or Hawaii. These are hospitals that meet a federal rule for being the main hospital in an area.
• Medicare would have to pay at least 94% of a hospital’s reasonable costs for covered outpatient department care when normal payment is lower.
• When normal Medicare payment is below the 94% cost level, Medicare must pay the full gap.
• Patients would not owe higher copays for these services because of this bill.
• The extra payments would not be lowered under Medicare’s usual budget-neutrality rules, which normally keep total outpatient spending changes balanced.

How Modern Action helps you take action on H.R. 4250

You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.

Questions people ask about H.R. 4250

What is H.R. 4250?

Some Alaska and Hawaii hospitals would get a Medicare payment floor for outpatient care. If normal Medicare pay falls below 94% of their reasonable costs, Medicare would make up the difference. Patients’ copays would stay the same.

How do I support or oppose H.R. 4250?

Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.

Who should I contact about H.R. 4250?

Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.

Can Modern Action explain H.R. 4250 before I act?

Yes. Modern Action gives you a plain-English summary, current status, and action context before you send anything.