Congress Passes Spending Bill With Hospital and Health System Priorities

Feb 09, 2018 - 03:34 PM

Congress today passed and President Trump signed into law a massive two-year budget bill containing a number of priorities important to hospitals and health systems. In addition to immediately funding the government until March 23, the bill also raises the debt ceiling and sets spending levels for the next two years, raising defense and domestic spending by about $300 billion. Among other provisions important to hospitals and health systems, the bill delays $5 billion in Medicaid disproportionate share hospital reductions scheduled for fiscal years 2018 and 2019; extends several Medicare payment adjustments that support access in rural communities; eases future electronic health record regulatory burdens; and provides additional funding for disaster relief, the opioid crisis and Children's Health Insurance Program. For reaction, see the statement from AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack.

Related News Articles

Headline
KFF: Medicare spent 27% more for people who disenrolled from MA than those continuously in Traditional Medicare
An analysis by KFF released last week found that in 2022, Medicare spent 27% ($2,585) more, on average, for individuals covered by Traditional Medicare after…
Headline
Bipartisan letter calling for prevention of Medicaid DSH cuts gets signatures from 182 members of Congress
A House Dear Colleague letter calling on House leadership to address scheduled Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital payment cuts received signatures from…
Headline
AHA responds to Medicare $2 Drug List Model request for information
The AHA Dec. 9 said it supports a potential Medicare $2 Drug List Model, where people enrolled in a Part D plan would have access to certain prescription drugs…
Headline
AHA supports physician reimbursement, alternative payment model incentives in comments to MedPAC
In comments Dec. 9 to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, the AHA shared its views on physician fee schedule payments, advanced alternative payment model…
Headline
CMS releases proposed rule for 2026 Medicare Advantage, prescription drug plans
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Nov. 26 proposed changes to the Medicare Advantage and prescription drug programs for contract year 2026.…
Headline
AHA comments on CMS’ FY 2025 IPPS low wage policy
The AHA commented Nov. 26 on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ hospital inpatient prospective payment system interim final action on revising…