What Is the PURE Act?
The Portable Ultrasound Reimbursement Equity Act, or PURE Act, is a proposed U.S. bill designed to make portable ultrasound services more accessible for Medicare patients. In simple terms, it would allow Medicare to pay for the transportation and setup of portable ultrasound equipment, similar to how it already pays for portable X-ray transportation and setup. The bill would also update Medicare language so diagnostic ultrasound is treated more fairly alongside diagnostic X-ray services.
That may sound like a small policy change, but it could make a meaningful difference for people who cannot easily travel to a hospital or imaging centers especially in rural America. Portable ultrasound allows providers to bring the exam directly to the patient, whether that patient is at home, in a skilled nursing facility, or in another short or long-term care setting.
Why This Bill Matters
Today, portable ultrasound is already used to help diagnose serious conditions quickly. But Medicare payment rules have not fully kept pace with how this care is delivered. Supporters of the bill say that because transportation and setup costs are not reimbursed the same way they are for portable X-ray, some providers face barriers to offering these services more widely.
The American Portable Diagnostics Association (APDA) has been actively engaged in supporting policy efforts like the PURE Act, recognizing the role that portable imaging plays in expanding access to care. Their involvement reflects a broader industry focus on aligning reimbursement structures with the realities of modern, mobile diagnostics.
The PURE Act aims to close that gap. If passed, it would help portable diagnostic providers bring ultrasound exams to patients who may be elderly, disabled, recovering from illness, or living far from major medical facilities. That includes people in rural communities and patients whose travel to an outside facility may be difficult, expensive, or risky.
The Latest Update on the Bill
The current version of the bill was reintroduced in the House on March 27, 2025, as H.R. 2477. A Senate companion bill, S. 1168, was also introduced the same day with bipartisan support.
The most recent official public action found is that the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health included the PURE Act in a legislative hearing on January 8, 2026, focused on Medicare patient access. In the committee’s hearing materials, the bill is described as legislation that would provide separate Medicare payment for portable ultrasound transportation and setup services, similar to portable X-ray. Based on the official House materials reviewed, that hearing is the latest public step tied to the bill.
What Benefits Could the PURE Act Bring?
For patients, the biggest benefit is convenience with a purpose. Instead of traveling to a facility for imaging, they would be able to receive needed ultrasound exams where they already are. That can reduce stress for families and caregivers and make care easier for people with limited mobility.
It could also support faster diagnosis. Lawmakers backing the bill have pointed to conditions such as blood clots, heart failure, and abdominal disease as examples where timely ultrasound access matters. Getting answers sooner can help doctors make decisions more quickly and may reduce avoidable hospital visits.
There is also a broader system benefit: fairer reimbursement could encourage more portable diagnostic providers to offer portable ultrasound services, especially in underserved areas. In short, the PURE Act is about bringing Medicare policy closer to how healthcare is actually delivered today.
Final Thoughts
The PURE Act is not yet law, but it is an important proposal to watch. It’s goal is straightforward: make portable ultrasound more practical and more available for Medicare patients by covering the real-world costs of bringing the service to them. For patients who rely on bedside care, this change could help turn access into action by making timely diagnostic imaging more consistently available where it is needed most.
Read more at https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1168/text
