117 STAT. 2288
PUBLIC LAW 108–173—DEC. 8, 2003
SEC. 432. OFFICE OF RURAL HEALTH POLICY IMPROVEMENTS.
Section 711(b) (42 U.S.C. 912(b)) is amended— (1) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘and’’ after the comma at the end; (2) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and inserting ‘‘, and’’; and (3) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new paragraph: ‘‘(5) administer grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts to provide technical assistance and other activities as necessary to support activities related to improving health care in rural areas.’’. 42 USC 1395ww note.
Deadlines.
42 USC 1395x note.
SEC. 433. MEDPAC STUDY ON RURAL HOSPITAL PAYMENT ADJUSTMENTS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission shall conduct a study of the impact of sections 401 through 406, 411, 416, and 505. The Commission shall analyze the effect on total payments, growth in costs, capital spending, and such other payment effects under those sections. (b) REPORTS.— (1) INTERIM REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to Congress an interim report on the matters studied under subsection (a) with respect only to changes to the critical access hospital provisions under section 405. (2) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than 3 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to Congress a final report on all matters studied under subsection (a). SEC.
434.
FRONTIER EXTENDED PROJECT.
STAY
CLINIC
DEMONSTRATION
(a) AUTHORITY TO CONDUCT DEMONSTRATION PROJECT.—The Secretary shall waive such provisions of the medicare program established under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.) as are necessary to conduct a demonstration project under which frontier extended stay clinics described in subsection (b) in isolated rural areas are treated as providers of items and services under the medicare program. (b) CLINICS DESCRIBED.—A frontier extended stay clinic is described in this subsection if the clinic— (1) is located in a community where the closest shortterm acute care hospital or critical access hospital is at least 75 miles away from the community or is inaccessible by public road; and (2) is designed to address the needs of— (A) seriously or critically ill or injured patients who, due to adverse weather conditions or other reasons, cannot be transferred quickly to acute care referral centers; or (B) patients who need monitoring and observation for a limited period of time. (c) SPECIFICATION OF CODES.—The Secretary shall determine the appropriate life-safety codes for such clinics that treat patients for needs referred to in subsection (b)(2). (d) FUNDING.—
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