In a bipartisan effort, 30 U.S. senators sent a letter to Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and the Senate Finance Committee advocating for the extension of Medicare payment programs to rural hospitals.
Specifically, the senators requested that The Rural Hospital Access Act of 2012 be included in the upcoming Medicare physician payment legislation. The legislation would extend the Medicare Dependent Hospital and Low-Volume Hospital programs, which provide additional funding to hundreds of rural hospitals that rely on large proportions of Medicare patients or are in a low-volume setting.
Both programs expired at the end of September. Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) introduced the bill, which would extend the MDH and LVH programs an additional year and would make payments retroactive to the expiration date.
"These small, hardworking hospitals are often the sole source of comprehensive healthcare in their area and are typically the largest employer, and economic engine, in the communities they serve," the senators wrote. "Yet, rural hospitals face a wide array of financial difficulties and operational challenges under the current Medicare prospective payment system. [This legislation] will ensure another year of support for these critical providers."
Specifically, the senators requested that The Rural Hospital Access Act of 2012 be included in the upcoming Medicare physician payment legislation. The legislation would extend the Medicare Dependent Hospital and Low-Volume Hospital programs, which provide additional funding to hundreds of rural hospitals that rely on large proportions of Medicare patients or are in a low-volume setting.
Both programs expired at the end of September. Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) introduced the bill, which would extend the MDH and LVH programs an additional year and would make payments retroactive to the expiration date.
"These small, hardworking hospitals are often the sole source of comprehensive healthcare in their area and are typically the largest employer, and economic engine, in the communities they serve," the senators wrote. "Yet, rural hospitals face a wide array of financial difficulties and operational challenges under the current Medicare prospective payment system. [This legislation] will ensure another year of support for these critical providers."
More Articles on Rural Hospital Medicare Funds:
Sen. Chuck Schumer: Reinstating Medicare Funds for Rural Hospitals a "Top Priority"
Hospital Groups Urge Congress to Extend Rural Medicare Provisions
AHA to Congress: Extend Medicare Programs Critical to Rural Hospitals