Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Peter Welch (D-VT) introduced bipartisan legislation on May 22 to protect seniors from high post-acute care costs. S. 4641 would require all hospital days — regardless of inpatient or outpatient observation status — to count toward the three-day qualifying stay required for Medicare fee-for-service coverage of skilled nursing facility (SNF) services.

The Senate bill joins the Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act (H.R. 3954), introduced in the House by Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT) in June 2025. Together, the bills represent growing bipartisan momentum toward closing a long-standing gap that has left many seniors facing unexpected out-of-pocket costs for post-hospital care.

LeadingAge has long supported the House bill and welcomes the Senate companion legislation, continuing to work with coalition partners to advance both measures.