The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) applauds Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Reps.Tom Reed (R-NY) and Peter Welch (D-VT) for introducing the Rural Hospital Access Act of 2017 (S. 872, H.R. 1955). This important bipartisan bill will improve access to care in rural areas by permanently addressing the Medicare Dependent Hospital and Low Volume Adjustment rural Medicare programs that expire October 1, 2017.
This legislation is essential to preserving continued access and keeping rural hospital doors open in rural America. The MDH and LVH programs for hospitals and providers are not ‘bonus’ or ‘special’ payments, but rather alternative, cost-effective and targeted payment formulas that maintain access to care for millions of rural patients and financial stability for thousands of rural providers across the country.
MDHs and LVHs play a critical role in rural communities, providing not only vital medical care but also as one of the largest employers within their community. Without these programs, rural patients would be forced to travel farther for more expensive care. Or worse, these rural Americans would forego essential care because they could not reach the necessary medical providers, resulting in poorer health, a lower quality of life, and more expensive care later.
NRHA encourages members of Congress to cosponsor the Rural Hospital Access Act.