Ensuring Outpatient Quality for Rural States Act

This bill adjusts Medicare payments for hospital outpatient services in Alaska and Hawaii starting in 2026. It allows the Medicare Secretary to apply a special cost-of-living adjustment to non-labor costs (like supplies and equipment) for these hospitals, similar to adjustments used for other providers. The change specifically addresses the higher operating costs unique to Alaska and Hawaii, without requiring budget neutrality. It directly affects Medicare reimbursement for outpatient departments in those two states.