On Monday, August 5th Congress kicked off their annual summer recess. Initially created to help Members of Congress avoid Washington D.C. during the hottest month of the year, the August recess has become an opportunity for Senators and Representatives to return to their states and districts to meet with constituents, hold campaign or town hall events, or take a vacation. Congress will reconvene on September 9th with just 9 legislative days before the end of the Federal Fiscal Year.
The end of the Federal Fiscal Year is incredibly important for many rural providers, educators, and researchers. First, if Congress does not act by October 1st, both the Medicare Dependent Hospital program and Low-Volume Hospital adjustment will expire. If these programs are not reauthorized, rural PPS hospitals will lose millions of dollars of Medicare reimbursement. Second, Congress must either pass new Federal spending bills or pass a continuing resolution to allocate government funds. Almost all rural programs administered by the Office of Rural Health Policy, including the FLEX program, AHEC funding, and State Office of Rural Health grants are dependent on this process. If Congress does not pass a CR or new spending bills, the government will be forced into a "shutdown"
The timing of this summer recess, therefore, could not be more important. Members of Congress must hear from you in support of these Medicare payments and HRSA funding programs now! NRHA has developed a number of documents and talking points that are useful when meeting with staff or Members of Congress. Just visit the Government Affairs tab on
NRHA's homepage to find documents on appropriations and the need to extend rural hospital programs.
NOW is the time to act. Contact your Senator or Representative today to set up a visit or find out about their town halls and join in the fight to protect rural health care.