House Republicans late last night introduced a stop-gap spending measure that would extend government funding until March 23, eliminate $5 billion in scheduled Medicaid disproportionate share hospital cuts for fiscal years 2018 and 2019, and extend several Medicare payment adjustments that support access in rural communities. Specifically, the bill would extend the Medicare-dependent hospital and low-volume adjustment programs for two years, and home health rural add-on and ground ambulance add-on payments for five years. It also would remove the mandate that meaningful use standards become more stringent over time, as advocated by the AHA, and expand access to telehealth services for stroke patients outside rural areas by eliminating a geographic requirement beginning in January 2021, among other changes. The bill would pay for new spending in part by reducing payments for hospital patients discharged to hospice care before the average Medicare length of stay. The House could vote on the CR as soon as tonight. Federal funding is set to expire on Feb. 8 without congressional action.

Related News Articles

Headline
The House Ways and Means Subcommittees on Health and Oversight held a joint hearing today to discuss lessons learned, challenges and opportunities to improve…
Headline
The AHA today expressed support for the Medicare Mental Health Inpatient Equity Act, a bill that would eliminate the 190-day lifetime limit on inpatient…
Headline
The Congressional Budget Office today released its estimate of the budgetary effects of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, as enacted. CBO projects the law will…
Headline
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services July 17 issued two letters to states regarding policies on continuous eligibility and workforce initiatives.…
Headline
Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., July 15 introduced legislation that would repeal some of the Medicaid funding reductions included in the recently enacted One Big…
Headline
The Rural Hospital Excellence in Innovation Award honors rural hospitals that are leading the way in innovative, sustainable and community-centered care. If…