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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 21, 2016 10:58 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Matthew E. Baker |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Restore Vital Funding for Critical Access Hospitals |
| As part of his multi-billion dollar veto of House Bill 1460 (Act 10A of 2015), Gov. Tom Wolf eliminated $5.67million in vital state funds for Critical Access Hospitals throughout the Commonwealth. As many of you are aware, I routinely advocate for the Critical Access Hospitals due to their vital role in health care in the Commonwealth. As a result, I intend to introduce legislation which will restore this vital funding for the critical access hospitals in the area. Pennsylvania has thirteen critical access hospitals as defined by the federal law. These hospitals are reimbursed by Medicare on a "reasonable cost basis" for services. This legislation would require the commonwealth's medical assistance program to reimburse these hospitals on the same basis. Critical Access Hospitals are more vital than hospitals in the urban areas due to the lack of other alternatives in health care options. To be designated a critical access hospital; a hospital must be the only hospital in a 35 mile radius and access Medicare. These hospitals, by their very nature as the only option for the community, cannot turn away patients and, therefore, end up with a disproportionate share of uninsured or Medicaid insurance patients. If these hospitals fail, the entire community’s health would be in jeopardy. House Bill 1460, as it passed the General Assembly and was presented to the governor, provided these Critical Access Hospitals with a $1.8 million increase over the 2014-15 budget in order to provide funding to two additional facilities. It represented an important investment for these institutions and the people they support each day. Unfortunately, the governor’s veto left these hospitals with no support from the state. Please join me in considering this legislation to restore these important funds to help provide necessary health care support for Pennsylvanians. |
Introduced as HB1806