Action needed on HR 3225, Save Rural Hospitals Act
Posted on: 9/21/16
HR 3225, authored by
U.S. Rep. Graves (MO) and
Loebsack (IA), with co-sponsor
Frank Lucas (OK 3rd District), the Save Rural Hospitals Act, was written to address the factors that have led to the alarming increase in rural hospital closures. The bill addresses these issues in four titles:
- Rural hospital stabilization – elimination of multiple cuts that are causing rural hospitals to close, and extension of important rural PPS hospital payments;
- Rural Medicare beneficiary equity – elimination of higher out-of-pocket charges for rural beneficiaries (total charges vs. allowed Medicare charges);
- Regulatory relief – elimination of the CAH 96-hour Condition of Payment, rebase of supervision requirements for outpatient therapy services at CAHs and rural PPS, modification to 2-Midnight Rule and RAC audit and appeals process;
- Future of rural health – development of a Community Outpatient Hospital (24-hour emergency department/primary care/outpatient services, but no acute inpatient beds), grant funding to assist rural hospital transition, and CMMI demonstration projects for shared savings.
HR 3225 was unanimously endorsed by the OHA board at its March board meeting.
HR 3225 now needs to be introduced on the Senate floor. This step will allow the bill to go to a conference committee between the two houses. Please call and ask our U.S. senators to introduce HR 3225 on the Senate floor so it can move forward. Ask to speak with each senator’s health and human services legislative aide.
- Senator Inhofe: (202) 224-4721, Jennifer Bowman is his health legislative aide.
- Senator Lankford: (202) 224-5754, Kevin Kincheloe is his health legislative aide.
To view the OHA’s letter to the senators on this bill,
click here.
If you have any questions, contact
Andy Fosmire,
[email protected], (580) 554-0027.