Amends title XVIII of the Social Security Act to codify the Medicare low-wage index hospital policy.
Introduces a new clause to increase the area wage index for low-wage hospitals.
Defines low-wage hospitals as those with an area wage index below the 25th percentile.
For discharges occurring on or after October 1, 2019, the area wage index for qualifying hospitals will be increased by half of the difference between their final area wage index and the 25th percentile area wage index.
The implementation of this policy will be budget neutral.
