Senate releases text of infrastructure legislation; includes funding for broadband access, cybersecurity

Lawmakers in the U.S. Senate this weekend unveiled the text  of a bipartisan infrastructure package that has been under negotiation for several months. The package does not rescind any Provider Relief Funds as an offset for the package, though it does extend the Medicare sequester for one additional year, through Fiscal Year 2031.

Several provisions align with hospitals’ and health systems’ priorities, including funding for broadband internet deployment, equity and affordability, as well as investments to improve federal coordination and assistance with response and recovery from significant cybersecurity incidents. AHA continues to review the 2,702-page legislation, which is pending in the Senate; an amendment process is likely to begin soon, with the bill possibly put to a vote as soon as later this week.