House passes bill that extends moratorium on 2% Medicare sequester cuts through end of 2021, makes other health care changes

The House of Representatives last night voted 384-38 to pass a bill that, among other health care provisions, would eliminate the 2% across-the-board cut to all Medicare payments, known as sequestration, until the end of 2021.

The bill also would make several technical changes to the rural health clinic provisions that were included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021.The Senate passed the bill last month, and President Biden is expected to sign it into law soon.  

In a statement shared with the media, AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack said, “America’s hospitals and health systems thank Speaker Pelosi, Leader McCarthy and the U.S. House of Representatives for joining Majority Leader Schumer, Leader McConnell and the U.S. Senate in extending needed relief from Medicare cuts to doctors and hospitals caring for patients and vaccinating communities. Even though our country is making great progress by vaccinating millions of people a day, it is clear that this pandemic is far from over and that there is an urgent need to keep hospitals, health systems and our heroic caregivers strong. 

“The AHA continues to work with Congress and the Administration to ensure the hospital field has the support, resources and tools to serve their patients and communities. This includes continuing to advocate for more overall funding for the Provider Relief Fund, relief for hospitals and health systems with Medicare accelerated payments, hospital and health system priorities to be included in the upcoming infrastructure legislative package and Congressional action by the end of the year on Medicare cuts due to the effects of PAYGO.”