Senate Passes Legislation to Extend Rural Hospital Program

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Senate recently passed the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Reauthorization Act, introduced by U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.). The bipartisan, bicameral legislation would extend the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration (RCHD) program for another five years, allowing hospitals to continue testing innovative hospital payment models under Medicare that boost financial sustainability and improve rural access to care.

"Local hospitals are critical to the health and success of rural communities in Kansas and across the country," said Sen. Moran. "I have long supported the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration program because it provides a lifeline for rural hospitals and health care providers, bolstering the stability and certainty needed for them to continue delivering quality care to the communities across our state. I'm pleased by the passage of the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Reauthorization Act in the Senate, and I urge the House of Representatives to pass this important legislation."

Currently, there are two Kansas hospitals participating in the RCHD program: Stormont Vail Health Flint Hills Campus in Junction City and McPherson Hospital.

The legislation is also cosponsored by Sens. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Angus King (I-Maine), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), James Lankford (R-Okla.) and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.).

Kansas Hospital Association (Chad Austin, President and CEO):

"Access to care in rural Kansas depends on maintaining stable and sustainable financing pathways for community hospitals. The Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program has helped participating hospitals continue delivering essential services close to home while supporting the health and economic vitality of their communities. Kansas hospitals appreciate the U.S. Senate's passage of legislation to renew this long-standing program for an additional five years and are thankful for Senator Moran's leadership and continued commitment to strengthening rural health care by ensuring participating hospitals can continue serving Kansans for years to come."

American Hospital Association (Lisa Kidder Hrobsky, Senior Vice President for Advocacy and Political Affairs):

"The American Hospital Association applauds the Senate passing the Rural Community Hospital (RCH) Demonstration Reauthorization Act, which allows hospitals to continue providing essential care in their communities by supporting the financial stability of participating rural hospitals. Hospitals with 50 beds or less are some of the most vulnerable to closure, and the RCH demo offers an important model to maintain access in rural communities around the country. This bipartisan legislation gives more certainty for America's rural hospitals."

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