Bipartisan, bicameral PEAKS Act from Capito, Miller supports critical access hospitals

U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and U.S. Rep. Carol Miller (R-WV) on June 5 unveiled bipartisan, bicameral legislation to ensure ongoing services are provided at critical access hospitals, which serve residents in rural areas.

The Preserving Emergency Access in Key Sites (PEAKS) Act, S. 1960/H.R. 3778, would provide for the continued designation of hospitals that met mountainous terrain or secondary roads distance requirements as critical access hospitals, and would modify distance requirements for ambulance services furnished by critical access hospitals, according to the bill’s text.

“As residents of the Mountain State, we are proud of our beautiful peaks, however, we are also aware of the transportation challenges — especially for ambulances — that exist due to our mountainous topography,” said Sen. Capito, who sponsored S. 1960. “I’m proud to introduce the PEAKS Act to address this challenge and ensure even our most rural residents can depend on ambulance services, as well as ensure our critical access hospitals are able to provide the best care possible.”

Among the four original cosponsors who joined Sen. Capito in introducing S. 1960 is U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA). Rep. Miller sponsored H.R. 3778 alongside two original cosponsors, including U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA).

“My home state of West Virginia has more critical access hospitals in mountainous areas than any other state in the country, and I know how hard it can be for those who live in rural, mountainous regions to receive treatment in a timely manner,” said Rep. Miller. “The PEAKS Act is life-saving legislation that will ensure critical access hospitals in mountainous areas are compensated fairly for the ambulatory services they provide to patients and positively impact rural communities across the nation.”

If enacted, the measure would allow for critical access hospitals to be reimbursed for their emergency medical transportation services, and ensure that they would not lose their designation despite any new hospital that is built within 15 miles, according to information provided by the lawmakers.

The bill has garnered support from the West Virginia Hospital Association, the California Hospital Association, the Arkansas Hospital Association, the Hospital Association of Oregon, the Utah Hospital Association, and the Wyoming Hospital Association.