NRHA is pleased that Senators Claire McCaskill and Tom Coburn are renewing their push to repeal the piece of the health law that resulted in a wage increase for all Massachusetts hospital physicians and staff at the detriment of rural hospitals across the nation.
The provision required that Medicare reimbursements to all providers in a state be higher than the wage at the state’s rural hospitals. Massachusetts has only one “rural” hospital to set that floor, resulting in all wages in the state rising at the expense of other states. The lawmakers say that nine states benefit from the provision and 40 see a negative impact.
The provision was dubbed the “Bay State Boondoggle.” The bill already has 24 co-sponsors. If you don’t see your senator listed below, please call 202-224-3121 and ask your senator to cosponsor
S.183, the Hospital Payment Fairness Act of 2013.
Sen Baldwin, Tammy [WI] – 3/22/2013