Bipartisan legislation introduced on Feb. 6 by Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.) aims to rescue rural American hospitals facing bankruptcy, the Rippon Advance reported. “For many communities and families, this is a life or death situation,” said Rep. Graves on Wednesday. “I’m proud to reintroduce this bipartisan solution that will make common-sense reforms to put our rural hospitals back on solid ground and rescue many from the brink.” The "Save America’s Rural Hospitals Act," H.R. 833, which Rep. Graves sponsored alongside lead original cosponsor Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) would amend the Social Security Act to authorize enhanced payments to rural healthcare providers under the Medicare and Medicaid programs, according to the text of the bill. If enacted, H.R. 833 would eliminate Medicare sequestration for rural hospitals and make Medicare telehealth service enhancements permanent for federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Graves’ office. The bill also would permanently extend increased Medicare payments for rural ground ambulance services that are set to expire on Dec. 31, 2024, and expand access to certified registered nurse anesthetists’ services, the summary says.
