Contact Congress about H.R. 4269: Ensuring Outpatient Quality for Rural States Act

Medicare could pay hospitals in Alaska and Hawaii more for outpatient care. The increase would cover non-worker costs like supplies and utilities, starting January 1, 2026.

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.

Ensuring Outpatient Quality for Rural States 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. 4269: 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 hospitals in Alaska and Hawaii that treat Medicare patients in outpatient departments. It could also affect people with Medicare in those states if hospital finances change access to outpatient services. The bill gives the Secretary of Health and Human Services power to decide whether and how to adjust the payments.

Why this matters: Hospitals in Alaska and Hawaii often pay more for basics like supplies, utilities, and buildings. This bill could help Medicare payments reflect those higher costs for outpatient care. That may help hospitals cover care for Medicare patients. It could also increase Medicare spending, and the bill does not say how large the increase would be.

Key provisions in H.R. 4269

• The bill only covers Medicare outpatient hospital services in Alaska and Hawaii. Outpatient means the patient does not stay overnight.
• It changes the Social Security Act rule for Medicare’s outpatient hospital payment system. That rule is in Section 1833(t).
• The Secretary of Health and Human Services could adjust the non-worker part of outpatient hospital payment rates. The bill uses the same basic method Medicare already uses for inpatient cost-of-living adjustments.
• The change would apply to services given on or after January 1, 2026. It would not cover earlier services.
• Medicare would not have to keep this change budget neutral. That means payments for these services could rise without cuts somewhere else.

How Modern Action helps you take action on H.R. 4269

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. 4269

What is H.R. 4269?

Medicare could pay hospitals in Alaska and Hawaii more for outpatient care. The increase would cover non-worker costs like supplies and utilities, starting January 1, 2026.

How do I support or oppose H.R. 4269?

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. 4269?

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. 4269 before I act?

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