Rep. Mike Thompson Joins 63 Members of Congress to Introduce Legislation in Support of Rural Healthcare Providers
September 7, 2006
Rep. Thompson: “This legislation has the potential to help thousands of our district’s rural citizensâ€
Today, Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA) and 63 of his colleagues introduced bipartisan legislation that would significantly improve federal health policies for rural communities, like those in Northern California. The Health Care Access and Rural Equity (H-CARE) Act would, among other things, change the way doctors, hospitals, pharmacists and other providers are reimbursed for medical expenses. It is expected to greatly increase rural patients' access to healthcare.
“Many parts of our district are faced with physician shortages, community pharmacists struggling to make ends meet, and under-funded hospitals, clinics and ambulance services,” said Thompson. “This legislation would make critical reforms to certain Medicare payment policies and addresses funding shortfalls. I support H-CARE because it would effectively provide relief to many of our local healthcare providers and has the potential to help thousands of our district's rural citizens."
H-CARE would improve rural healthcare throughout California's 1st Congressional District by:
-Increasing payments to rural Disproportionate Share Hospitals (hospitals with a large number of uninsured patients). There are 3 of these hospitals in the 1st Congressional District and 2 immediately outside the district that treat our local citizens.
-Extending 2% bonus payments for rural ground ambulance services.
-Increasing rural health clinic reimbursements. Our district has 26 Rural Health Clinics.
-Requiring prompt payment from Medicare Part D plans to pharmacists.
-Authorizing loan programs targeting rural hospitals in need of capital improvement, such as hospital renovation and expansion.
-Authorizing grant funding for Health Information Technology purchases for rural health care providers. Health Information Technology purchases include equipment for electronic medical record filing and prescriptions.
-Reauthorizing Rural Health Care Services Outreach and Rural Health Network Development grants.
-Facilitating the provision of telehealth services across state lines. This would allow patients to consult doctors in other states via computer and telephone.
H-CARE was unveiled today at a press conference on Capitol Hill. To date, twelve national organizations have endorsed the legislation, along with numerous statewide organizations from across the nation. # # #
“Many parts of our district are faced with physician shortages, community pharmacists struggling to make ends meet, and under-funded hospitals, clinics and ambulance services,” said Thompson. “This legislation would make critical reforms to certain Medicare payment policies and addresses funding shortfalls. I support H-CARE because it would effectively provide relief to many of our local healthcare providers and has the potential to help thousands of our district's rural citizens."
H-CARE would improve rural healthcare throughout California's 1st Congressional District by:
-Increasing payments to rural Disproportionate Share Hospitals (hospitals with a large number of uninsured patients). There are 3 of these hospitals in the 1st Congressional District and 2 immediately outside the district that treat our local citizens.
-Extending 2% bonus payments for rural ground ambulance services.
-Increasing rural health clinic reimbursements. Our district has 26 Rural Health Clinics.
-Requiring prompt payment from Medicare Part D plans to pharmacists.
-Authorizing loan programs targeting rural hospitals in need of capital improvement, such as hospital renovation and expansion.
-Authorizing grant funding for Health Information Technology purchases for rural health care providers. Health Information Technology purchases include equipment for electronic medical record filing and prescriptions.
-Reauthorizing Rural Health Care Services Outreach and Rural Health Network Development grants.
-Facilitating the provision of telehealth services across state lines. This would allow patients to consult doctors in other states via computer and telephone.
H-CARE was unveiled today at a press conference on Capitol Hill. To date, twelve national organizations have endorsed the legislation, along with numerous statewide organizations from across the nation. # # #
Issues:Health Care