HR 5198 United States House · 119th Congress

Rural Health Clinic Location Modernization Act of 2025

HR 5198, the Rural Health Clinic Location Modernization Act of 2025, changes Medicare eligibility rules for rural health clinics by updating the definition of "urban area" used to determine clinic qualification. It replaces the current "urbanized area" standard with a clearer definition: any urban area (per Census Bureau data) having a population of 50,000 or more. This adjustment directly affects clinics seeking Medicare certification, ensuring they meet consistent geographic criteria for rural designation. The change takes effect January 1, 2027, aiming to simplify qualification rules without altering Medicare coverage or benefits.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Sep 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

President

Introduced Sep 8, 2025 Last action Sep 8, 2025

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Committee

Sep 8, 2025

Committee

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.

lower

Sep 8, 2025

Introduced

Introduced in House

lower

1 primary · 28 co-sponsors