Equitable Payments for Nursing Facilities Act of 2023

This bill allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to adjust Medicare payment rates for skilled nursing facilities located in Alaska or Hawaii to account for their unique circumstances, such as higher operating costs due to geographic isolation. It directly affects Medicare-certified nursing facilities in those two states by enabling potential rate increases to better reflect their specific challenges. The key provision amends the Social Security Act to add a new clause permitting these adjustments as determined appropriate by the Secretary. The bill does not specify exact payment amounts or timelines, only establishing the authority for such adjustments.