Legislation has been introduced that would remove the 96-hour physician certification requirement as a condition for payment for critical access hospitals.
The bill, called the Critical Access Hospital Relief Act, is sponsored by Rep. Adrian Smith (R-Neb.). Although the bill would remove the physician certification requirement, critical access hospitals would still be obligated to maintain an average annual length of stay of 96 hours.
American Hospital Association Executive Vice President Rick Pollack sent a letter on behalf of the AHA to Rep. Adrian showing support of the legislation. "Your bill recognizes the essential role CAHs play in our nation's landscape and the need for them to be able to continue in that role," the letter stated.
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