Rural issues
Rural hospitals are their community鈥檚 anchor. By providing 24/7 care, essential public services and access to primary care for the 57 million people that live in rural America, these hospitals are vitally important. That鈥檚 why the AHA swiftly reacted to guidance issued by CMS late last year which鈥
On Feb. 12, as urged by the AHA, CMS released a recertification guidance and checklist to state survey agency directors indicating that states may immediately use alternative ways to document that a critical access hospital is a necessary provider.
As urged by AHA, states may immediately use alternative ways to document that a critical access hospital is a 鈥渘ecessary provider,鈥 the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced today in guidance to state survey agencies. CMS last year issued interpretive guidance that allowed only a鈥
Patients and communities across the country depend on the high-quality care that hospitals provide every day. The significant cuts proposed in today's budget would jeopardize hospitals' ability to keep the promise of maintaining access to vital health care services.
Medicare and other federal programs must account for the special circumstances of rural communities.
Mary Ellen Pratt, MHA, FACHE, CEO of St. James Parish Hospital in Lutcher, La., will lead the 黑料正能量 Association's Section for Small or Rural Hospitals in 2016.
Vince Oliver, CEO and superintendent of Island Hospital in Anacortes, Wash. is the 2015 winner of the 黑料正能量 Association's Shirley Ann Munroe Leadership Award.
AHA letter to Representatives Ron Kind and Greg Walden expressings appreciation for their ongoing commitment to America's rural hospitals and the communities and patients they serve.