To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to permit nurse-midwife services to be counted towards meeting the staffing requirements for rural health clinics under the medicare program, to provide for the coverage of social worker services in such clinics under such program, and for other purposes.
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require rural health clinics to have a nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or certified nurse-midwife available to furnish patient care services at least 50 percent of the time the clinic operates. Covers social worker services furnished to outpatients of rural health clinics. Expands the area within which rural health clinics may be located.
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide health care facilities and the chief executive officer, chief health officer, and chief human services officer of each State with applications and information enabling such facilities to apply for rural health clinic designation under the Medicare or Medicaid (title XIX of the Act) program.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and the Environment.