Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB282

Introduced
1/11/23  
Refer
1/11/23  

Caption

Infant Protection and Baby Switching Prevention Act of 2023 This bill establishes additional requirements that certain hospitals must meet in order to participate in Medicare. Specifically, as a condition of Medicare participation, hospitals and critical access hospitals that provide neonatal or infant care must have appropriate security procedures to reduce the likelihood of infant patient abduction and baby switching. Noncompliant hospitals are subject to specified civil penalties. The bill also establishes criminal penalties for knowingly altering or destroying a newborn's hospital patient records for the purpose of causing the newborn to be misidentified.

Impact

The bill's enactment would have significant implications for hospitals participating in the Medicare program. It imposes strict requirements on hospitals and critical access hospitals to comply with security measures as a condition for receiving Medicare reimbursements. Noncompliant hospitals may face civil penalties, which could reach up to $50,000 for each violation, thereby incentivizing adherence to the established protocols aimed at safeguarding vulnerable patients.

Summary

House Bill 282, titled the 'Infant Protection and Baby Switching Prevention Act of 2023', aims to enhance security procedures in hospitals that provide neonatal and infant care to mitigate the risks of infant abduction and baby switching. Under this bill, hospitals must establish and implement security protocols that meet standards set by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. These protocols include means for identifying all infant patients, ensuring that hospitals can promptly detect if any infants are missing.

Contention

One point of contention surrounding HB282 is the balance between ensuring safety and the potential administrative burden it places on hospitals, particularly smaller ones. Critics may argue that the financial implications of implementing such stringent security measures could affect the accessibility and affordability of neonatal services, particularly in rural areas where resources are limited. Conversely, supporters emphasize that the safety of infants should be paramount, advocating that the bill is a necessary response to address past incidents of baby switching and abduction, highlighting its necessity in contemporary healthcare settings.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US HB219

No Patient Left Alone Act of 2023 This bill requires hospitals, as a condition of Medicare participation, to have certain written policies and procedures that provide for patient visitation rights and to inform patients of such rights, including any applicable restrictions.

US HB870

Physicians for Underserved Areas Act This bill modifies how a hospital's residency positions are redistributed after it closes for purposes of graduate medical education payments under Medicare. Under current law, if a hospital with an approved medical residency program closes, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) must redistribute the hospital's residency positions to other hospitals in the following order: (1) hospitals in the same core-based statistical area as the closed hospital, (2) hospitals in the same state as the closed hospital, (3) hospitals in the same region of the country as the closed hospital, and (4) other remaining hospitals. In order to receive the additional positions, hospitals must demonstrate a likelihood of filling the positions within three years. The bill removes the requirement that the CMS prioritize hospitals in the same region of the country as the closed hospital. It also requires hospitals to demonstrate a likelihood of (1) starting to use the positions within two years, and (2) filling the positions within five years.

US HB1358

No Patient Left Alone Act of 2025This bill requires hospitals, as a condition of Medicare participation, to have certain written policies and procedures that provide for patient visitation rights and to inform patients of such rights, including any applicable restrictions.

US HB833

Save America’s Rural Hospitals Act

US SB1044

Physicians for Underserved Areas ActThis bill modifies how a hospital's residency positions are redistributed after it closes for purposes of graduate medical education payments under Medicare.Under current law, if a hospital with an approved medical residency program closes, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) must redistribute the hospital's residency positions to other hospitals in the following order: (1) hospitals in the same core-based statistical area as the closed hospital, (2) hospitals in the same state as the closed hospital, (3) hospitals in the same region of the country as the closed hospital, and (4) other remaining hospitals. In order to receive the additional positions, hospitals must demonstrate a likelihood of filling the positions within three years.The bill removes the requirement that the CMS prioritize hospitals in the same region of the country as the closed hospital. It also requires hospitals to demonstrate a likelihood of (1) starting to use the positions within two years, and (2) filling the positions within five years.

US HB538

Critical Access Hospital Relief Act of 2025This bill repeals the 96-hour physician-certification requirement for inpatient critical access hospital services under Medicare. Under current law, as a condition for Medicare payment for such services, a physician must certify that a patient may reasonably be expected to be discharged or transferred to a hospital within 96 hours after admission to the critical access hospital.

US HB3635

Save Rural Hospitals Act of 2023

US SB3232

ABANDONED INFANTS-HOSPITALS

US SB820

Hospitals - Care of Infants After Discharge

US HB2530

Nurse Staffing Standards for Hospital Patient Safety and Quality Care Act of 2023

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.