Government Affairs News
Get this feed:
|
Public RSS feed |
|
Subscribe by email
|
First subscription
25 months ago
25 months ago
Last checked
3 hours ago
3 hours ago
No changes were found in the last two weeks. Below is the start of the most recent snapshot.
[image: working_advocacyTemplate_01.gif]
[image: working_advocacyTemplate_02.gif]
[image: working_advocacyTemplate_03.gif]
[image: working_advocacyTemplate_04.gif]
[image: working_advocacyTemplate_05.gif]
[image: working_advocacyTemplate_06.gif]
[image: working_advocacyTemplate_07.gif]
[image: working_advocacyTemplate_08.gif]
[image: working_advocacyTemplate_09.gif]
[image: working_advocacyTemplate_10.gif]
[image: working_advocacyTemplate_11.gif]
[image: working_advocacyTemplate_12.gif]
[image: working_advocacyTemplate_13.gif]
[image: working_advocacyTemplate_14.gif]
[image: working_advocacyTemplate_15.gif]
[image: working_advocacyTemplate_16.gif]
[image: working_advocacyTemplate_17.gif]
[image: working_advocacyTemplate_18.gif]
[image: working_advocacyTemplate_19.gif]
[image: working_advocacyTemplate_20.gif]
[image: working_advocacyTemplate_22.gif]
[image: working_advocacyTemplate_23.gif]
[image: working_advocacyTemplate_24.gif]
[image: working_advocacyTemplate_25.gif]
[image: working_advocacyTemplate_26.gif]
[image: working_advocacyTemplate_27.gif]
[image: working_advocacyTemplate_28.gif]
[image: working_advocacyTemplate_29.gif]
[image: working_advocacyTemplate_30.gif]
[image: working_advocacyTemplate_31.gif]
[image: working_advocacyTemplate_32.gif]
HOME PAGE
[image: top.gif]
[image: left.gif]
[image: bottom.gif]
Government Affairs News
2008
NRHA Testifies on Medicare Advantage before the Senate Finance Committee
On Wednesday, January 30th, Daryl Weaver testified on behalf of the NRHA before the Senate Finance Committee in a hearing regarding Medicare Advantage Private Fee-For-Service (PFFS) Plans. The Senate Finance Committee is the Senate committee that deals with issues relating to Medicare and Medicaid. Mr. Weaver of Yazoo Community Hospital in Yazoo, Mississippi focused his remarks on the NRHA’s concerns with PFFS. Using stories and statistics from his home state and across rural America, Mr. Weaver was able to explain how these plans have made life difficult for rural hospitals and other providers. The proceeding week, an EMS provider in Mississippi and five other states went out of business at least in part due to the delayed payments from Medicare Advantage plans. In the case of his facility, in addition to incorrect and under-payments, billing staff has had to be increased by twenty percent and still payments can be delayed for over a year. The testimony also details a number of suggestions to the Senate Finance Committee on how to make these plans work better with rural providers.
Read the full testimony here.
2007
Due to technical difficulties we lost some of the 2007 updates. Our new website will improve on the situation, thanks for your understanding.
Elizondo interviewed on CNN en Español Radio Tuesday, July 17, 2007
NRHA Testifies on Health Care's Impact on Economic Development - June 28, 2007
NRHA Board Member Greg Dent testified to the House Appropriations Agriculture Subcommittee as part of the National Rural Assembly held June 25-27. The hearing was held to discuss efforts to improve the economy of our rural communities. Dent's testimony focused on the importance of health care to the overall economic health of a community. Studies have shown that as much as twenty percent of a rural community's economy is directly tied to the health sector. Recommendations included:
•Congress supporting the infrastructure of rural health providers by making available infrastructure and IT grants. •Federal support and expansion of efforts to cover the uninsured, which rural America has a disproportionate number of, including the State Children's Health Insurance Program. •Strengthening the reimbursement structure for rural providers from Medicare.
View the full testimony
H-CARE Act of 2007 Introduced- June 28, 2007 Over 50 members of the House of Representatives joined Representatives Earl Pomeroy (D-ND) and Greg Walden (R-OR) in introducing the Health Care Access and Rural Equity (H-CARE) Act of 2007. NRHA is very supportive of this bill and will work to pass this important legislation. If passed, the bill, HR 2860 will:
•Authorize health information technology grants for rural practitioners. •Require prompt payment to rural pharmacies by Medicare prescription drug plans. •Ensure adequate rural representation on the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission. •Establish a Rural Heath Quality Advisory Commission. •Allow flexibility in the number of beds Critical Access Hospitals (CAH) may provide. •Raise Rural Health Clinic reimbursements to more appropriately cover costs. •Expand the 340B discount drug program to cover rural entities.
View our Press Release to view a full list of provisions of the bill
Pat Roberts Named Chair of the Senate Rural Health Caucus - June 20, 2007
Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS) is the new co-chair of the Senate Rural Health Caucus. Roberts replaces Senator Craig Thomas (R-WY) who passed away earlier this year after serving as the co-chair for many years. Senator Roberts has been a champion of rural health concerns over the years, earning NRHA's legislative award in 2001. In addition, Senator Roberts was a main driver of legislation introduced earlier this year named in honor of Senator Craig Thomas. That legislation is the Senate companion bill of the H-CARE Act. We look forward to working with both co-chairs Senator Roberts and Tom Harkin (D-IA) in the months and years to come.
The Craig Thomas Rural Hospital and Provider Equity Act Introduced - June 13
In the Senate, a major comprehensive rural health care bill has been introduced. Senators Conrad, Roberts, Harkin, Domenici and others introduced a large package of provisions for rural health. This package, the Craig Thomas Rural Hospital and Provider Equity Act, honors Senator Thomas, who passed away recently. He spent his career as a champion of rural health care and served as a co-chair of the Senate Rural Health Caucus.
Some of the provisions include:
•Hospital Reimbursement Improvements - removal of the DSH cap, Critical Access Hospital improvements, rebasing the Sole Community Hospital formula, and the creation of the Rural Community Hospital program •Physician Reimbursement Improvements - mental health, physician pathology services, ambulatory trips, and the work geographic adjustment to a 1.0 floor •Raises the Rural Health Clinic encounter rate cap •Prompt payment of pharmacists by Medicare Prescription Drug Plans and MA-PD plans under Medicare Part D •Extension of 5% Medicare adjustment payment for home health services provided in rural areas •Grants for Health Information Technology, Quality Improvement, and the reauthorization of the Outreach and Network grant programs
NRHA Mourns the Loss of Senator Craig Thomas - June 4, 2007
Rural health care has lost a true champion and statesmen with the passing of Senator Craig Thomas (R-WY). Senator Thomas was a steadfast advocate for rural America. He was a gentle giant among Senators who championed access and quality issues for rural communities across the nation. His passionate and tireless fight for rural patients and their providers was at all times dignified and thoughtful. His legacy will be lasting, not only in Wyoming but throughout rural America. NRHA had honored Senator Thomas as the legislator of the year in 1998. Senator Thomas, thank you. You will be truly missed.
HIT and Quality Grants in Farm Bill
The NRHA has been a leading voice in the Campaign for a Renewed Rural Development to support passage of a flexible and fully funded Rural Development Title in the next Farm Bill. In addition, we have been working with Congressional leaders to make sure the Farm Bill includes provisions that will help strengthen the rural health system. Studies have shown that strengthening health care in rural America can have a major impact on the economic viability of our communities. The NRHA is pleased to see that the House Agriculture Subcommittee, working on the next Farm Bill, has included grants for the purchase of Health Information Technology and Quality Improvement. We will be working with the full committee and the Senate to include similar provisions.
To read more, visit the Campaign for a Renewed Rural Development
SCHIP Dollars Critical to Rural Children
A higher percentage of children in rural areas depend on Medicaid or the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) for health insurance than children in urban areas, according to a new study by the Carsey Institute at the University of New Hampshire.
The Carsey Institute found that 32 percent of children in rural areas relied on SCHIP or Medicaid, compared to 26 percent of children in cities. The report also found more rural children living in economically vulnerable families, with 47 percent of rural children living in low-income families, compared with 38 percent of urban families.
...
[image: top.gif]
[image: left.gif]
[image: bottom.gif]
Government Affairs News
2008
NRHA Testifies on Medicare Advantage before the Senate Finance Committee
On Wednesday, January 30th, Daryl Weaver testified on behalf of the NRHA before the Senate Finance Committee in a hearing regarding Medicare Advantage Private Fee-For-Service (PFFS) Plans. The Senate Finance Committee is the Senate committee that deals with issues relating to Medicare and Medicaid. Mr. Weaver of Yazoo Community Hospital in Yazoo, Mississippi focused his remarks on the NRHA’s concerns with PFFS. Using stories and statistics from his home state and across rural America, Mr. Weaver was able to explain how these plans have made life difficult for rural hospitals and other providers. The proceeding week, an EMS provider in Mississippi and five other states went out of business at least in part due to the delayed payments from Medicare Advantage plans. In the case of his facility, in addition to incorrect and under-payments, billing staff has had to be increased by twenty percent and still payments can be delayed for over a year. The testimony also details a number of suggestions to the Senate Finance Committee on how to make these plans work better with rural providers.
Read the full testimony here.
2007
Due to technical difficulties we lost some of the 2007 updates. Our new website will improve on the situation, thanks for your understanding.
Elizondo interviewed on CNN en Español Radio Tuesday, July 17, 2007
NRHA Testifies on Health Care's Impact on Economic Development - June 28, 2007
NRHA Board Member Greg Dent testified to the House Appropriations Agriculture Subcommittee as part of the National Rural Assembly held June 25-27. The hearing was held to discuss efforts to improve the economy of our rural communities. Dent's testimony focused on the importance of health care to the overall economic health of a community. Studies have shown that as much as twenty percent of a rural community's economy is directly tied to the health sector. Recommendations included:
•Congress supporting the infrastructure of rural health providers by making available infrastructure and IT grants. •Federal support and expansion of efforts to cover the uninsured, which rural America has a disproportionate number of, including the State Children's Health Insurance Program. •Strengthening the reimbursement structure for rural providers from Medicare.
View the full testimony
H-CARE Act of 2007 Introduced- June 28, 2007 Over 50 members of the House of Representatives joined Representatives Earl Pomeroy (D-ND) and Greg Walden (R-OR) in introducing the Health Care Access and Rural Equity (H-CARE) Act of 2007. NRHA is very supportive of this bill and will work to pass this important legislation. If passed, the bill, HR 2860 will:
•Authorize health information technology grants for rural practitioners. •Require prompt payment to rural pharmacies by Medicare prescription drug plans. •Ensure adequate rural representation on the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission. •Establish a Rural Heath Quality Advisory Commission. •Allow flexibility in the number of beds Critical Access Hospitals (CAH) may provide. •Raise Rural Health Clinic reimbursements to more appropriately cover costs. •Expand the 340B discount drug program to cover rural entities.
View our Press Release to view a full list of provisions of the bill
Pat Roberts Named Chair of the Senate Rural Health Caucus - June 20, 2007
Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS) is the new co-chair of the Senate Rural Health Caucus. Roberts replaces Senator Craig Thomas (R-WY) who passed away earlier this year after serving as the co-chair for many years. Senator Roberts has been a champion of rural health concerns over the years, earning NRHA's legislative award in 2001. In addition, Senator Roberts was a main driver of legislation introduced earlier this year named in honor of Senator Craig Thomas. That legislation is the Senate companion bill of the H-CARE Act. We look forward to working with both co-chairs Senator Roberts and Tom Harkin (D-IA) in the months and years to come.
The Craig Thomas Rural Hospital and Provider Equity Act Introduced - June 13
In the Senate, a major comprehensive rural health care bill has been introduced. Senators Conrad, Roberts, Harkin, Domenici and others introduced a large package of provisions for rural health. This package, the Craig Thomas Rural Hospital and Provider Equity Act, honors Senator Thomas, who passed away recently. He spent his career as a champion of rural health care and served as a co-chair of the Senate Rural Health Caucus.
Some of the provisions include:
•Hospital Reimbursement Improvements - removal of the DSH cap, Critical Access Hospital improvements, rebasing the Sole Community Hospital formula, and the creation of the Rural Community Hospital program •Physician Reimbursement Improvements - mental health, physician pathology services, ambulatory trips, and the work geographic adjustment to a 1.0 floor •Raises the Rural Health Clinic encounter rate cap •Prompt payment of pharmacists by Medicare Prescription Drug Plans and MA-PD plans under Medicare Part D •Extension of 5% Medicare adjustment payment for home health services provided in rural areas •Grants for Health Information Technology, Quality Improvement, and the reauthorization of the Outreach and Network grant programs
NRHA Mourns the Loss of Senator Craig Thomas - June 4, 2007
Rural health care has lost a true champion and statesmen with the passing of Senator Craig Thomas (R-WY). Senator Thomas was a steadfast advocate for rural America. He was a gentle giant among Senators who championed access and quality issues for rural communities across the nation. His passionate and tireless fight for rural patients and their providers was at all times dignified and thoughtful. His legacy will be lasting, not only in Wyoming but throughout rural America. NRHA had honored Senator Thomas as the legislator of the year in 1998. Senator Thomas, thank you. You will be truly missed.
HIT and Quality Grants in Farm Bill
The NRHA has been a leading voice in the Campaign for a Renewed Rural Development to support passage of a flexible and fully funded Rural Development Title in the next Farm Bill. In addition, we have been working with Congressional leaders to make sure the Farm Bill includes provisions that will help strengthen the rural health system. Studies have shown that strengthening health care in rural America can have a major impact on the economic viability of our communities. The NRHA is pleased to see that the House Agriculture Subcommittee, working on the next Farm Bill, has included grants for the purchase of Health Information Technology and Quality Improvement. We will be working with the full committee and the Senate to include similar provisions.
To read more, visit the Campaign for a Renewed Rural Development
SCHIP Dollars Critical to Rural Children
A higher percentage of children in rural areas depend on Medicaid or the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) for health insurance than children in urban areas, according to a new study by the Carsey Institute at the University of New Hampshire.
The Carsey Institute found that 32 percent of children in rural areas relied on SCHIP or Medicaid, compared to 26 percent of children in cities. The report also found more rural children living in economically vulnerable families, with 47 percent of rural children living in low-income families, compared with 38 percent of urban families.
...
