AHA-supported Bill Would Extend Medicare Rural Hospital Program for 5 Years

The American Hospital Association is pleased to support the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Extension Act of 2020. 

The Medicare Rural Community Hospital (RCH) Demonstration Program was established under the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act and further extended in 2010 under the Affordable Care Act. In 2016, the 21st Century Cures Act directed an additional 5-year extension period for the demonstration and prioritized participation for hospitals located in one of the 20 states with the lowest population densities. The RCH demonstration tests reasonable cost reimbursement for inpatient services in rural hospitals that have fewer than 51 acute-care beds, provide 24-hour emergency care services and are not designated or eligible for designation as a critical access hospital.