Sullivan, Schatz Introduce Legislation To Increase Quality Health Care for Seniors in Rural Areas

WASHINGTON-U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) introduced the Save Our Lone Emergency Services (SOLES) Act and the Comprehensive Reimbursement Initiative Targeting Investment and Care in Rural Locations (CRITICAL) Act to increase Medicare reimbursement for community and rural hospitals in Alaska and Hawaii. Historically, rural and noncontiguous states have faced significant cost disparities for Medicare reimbursement that drive up costs for both hospitals and patients. This legislation would recognize the unique cost-of-living challenges that rural hospitals face, and would increase reimbursement for critical access and sole community hospitals that serve Medicare-enrolled seniors in areas where other emergency or health care services are not available.

"One-size-fits-all Medicare formulas are not working for rural states like Alaska and Hawaii," Senator Sullivan said. "Providing high-quality health care in rural areas simply costs more relative to other states. We need the federal government to recognize these difficulties and respond appropriately by adjusting formulas to account for the unique needs that high-quality rural health care requires. Our priority must be ensuring that hospitals can afford to continue to operate and provide the health services Alaskans rely on-no matter where they live."

"To make sure hospitals on neighbor islands can continue to serve the seniors that rely on them, Medicare must recognize the real cost of providing health care in our state," said Senator Schatz. "Our bill will help boost reimbursements to providers in Hawai'i and make sure seniors have access to the health care services they deserve."

The Save Our Lone Emergency Services (SOLES) Act was also cosponsored by Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii).

Click here for the full text of the SOLES Act and the CRITICAL Act.

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