Protecting Rural Healthcare: Minimum Medicare Payments for Hospitals.
This law aims to safeguard access to healthcare in rural areas by increasing the minimum payments hospitals receive from the Medicare program. It establishes a minimum wage index (0.85) for hospitals, ensuring that facilities in lower-wage regions receive higher compensation for inpatient and outpatient services. This change provides greater financial stability for rural hospitals, intended to prevent closures and guarantee residents continued access to medical treatment.
Key points
Increases minimum Medicare payments for rural hospitals starting October 2023 (inpatient services) and January 2024 (outpatient services).
The introduction of a minimum wage index (0.85) ensures hospitals in lower labor cost areas receive fairer funding.
The primary goal is keeping rural hospitals open, directly protecting citizens' access to local healthcare services.
Expired
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