Outpatient Surgery Access Act of 2026

Bill Cassidy

Republican · LA · Senator

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

• Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)· 2026-07-15

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

2026-07-14

Source: Congress.gov

The proposal would update how Medicare pays ambulatory surgical centers—medical facilities where patients have outpatient surgeries without staying overnight—to reflect current costs and procedures. These changes would affect both the surgical centers that perform the procedures and Medicare beneficiaries who use these facilities. The bill aims to ensure payment rates keep pace with modern medical practices and operating expenses.

AI-assisted summary generated from the official bill metadata (title, subjects, actions) sourced from Congress.gov. Cached and reviewed. Always verify against the official text linked below.

119 S4963 IS: Outpatient Surgery Access Act of 2026 U.S. Senate 2026-07-14 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II119th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 4963IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJuly 14, 2026Mr. Cassidy introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on FinanceA BILLTo amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to modernize payments for ambulatory surgical centers under the Medicare program.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Outpatient Surgery Access Act of 2026.2.Aligning updates for ambulatory surgical center services with updates for OPD servicesSection 1833(i)(2)(D) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395l(i)(2)(D)) is amended—(1)in clause (v), by moving the margin 6 ems to the left;(2)by redesignating clause (vi) as clause (vii); and(3)by inserting after clause (v) the following new clause:(vi)In implementing the system described in clause (i) for 2027 and each subsequent year, the Secretary shall apply an annual update under such system that is equal to the OPD fee schedule increase factor specified under subsection (t)(3)(C)(iv) for such year, adjusted in accordance with clauses (iv) and (v)..3.Alignment of budget neutrality adjustment for outpatient surgical procedures (a) Prohibiting ASC-Specific budget neutrality adjustment Section 1833(i)(2)(D)(ii) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395l(i)(2)(D)(ii)) is amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: In implementing such system for 2027 and each subsequent year, the Secretary may not apply under such system any adjustment designed to result in the same aggregate amount of expenditures for such services for the year as would be made if this subparagraph did not apply (as described in the preceding sentence).. (b)Combining volume for budget neutrality calculationSection 1833(t)(9)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395l(t)(9)(B)) is amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: In determining adjustments under the first sentence of this subparagraph for 2027 and each subsequent year, the Secretary shall take into account any expenditures made under the revised payment system under subsection (i)(2)(D)..

• S5013A bill to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program to use amounts under the Veteran-Directed Care program to provide care to veterans with acquired brain injury, and for other purposes.
  Referred to Committee · 2026-07-16
• S5014A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain spouses eligible for services under the disabled veterans' outreach program, and for other purposes.
  Referred to Committee · 2026-07-16
• S2120Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2025
  Passed Senate · 2026-07-15
• S4965Railroad Retirement Board Stability Act of 2026
  Referred to Committee · 2026-07-14