H.R. 3134 (The Emergency Care Improvement Act) is a bipartisan bill designed to make it easier for people on Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE to get help at Freestanding Emergency Centers (FECs).

An FEC is a full-service emergency room that isn't physically attached to a hospital. While they look like urgent care clinics from the outside, they are staffed 24/7 by ER doctors, nurses and CT techs and have the same life-saving equipment (like CT scans and labs) as a traditional hospital.

Why does this bill matter?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the government issued a "temporary waiver" that allowed Medicare to pay for visits to these centers to help unburden crowded hospitals. When the pandemic emergency officially ended, that coverage was at risk of disappearing.

H.R. 3134 aims to make that coverage permanent.

Key Parts of the Bill:

• Permanent Recognition: It officially recognizes FECs as legitimate providers under Medicare and Medicaid.

• Lower Costs: Studies showed that these centers often provide the same care as hospital ERs but at a lower cost to the government (about 22% cheaper on average).

• Rural Access: In many rural areas where hospitals have closed, an FEC could go in to provide an emergency option. This bill ensures seniors in those areas don't have to drive hours for a crisis.

• The "No Surprises" Rule: These centers must follow the same rules as hospital ERs, meaning they have to treat anyone in an emergency regardless of their ability to pay (under a law called EMTALA).

Current Status (as of March 2026)

This bill was reintroduced in the 119th Congress in May 2025. While there is strong bipartisan support—especially from representatives in states like Texas where these centers are common—it is currently working its way through the committee process. Parts of the policy have also been discussed in broader "reconciliation" and budget packages aimed at lowering healthcare costs.

LINK TO VIDEO: https://youtu.be/eiahXWuheio

Contact your representative and ask them to support HR 3134 : https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative

Questions about the bill? Contact: info@nafeconline.org