Miller, Sewell Introduce the Assistance for Rural Community Hospitals (ARCH) Act on National Rural Health Day
November 16, 2023
| WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, on National Rural Health Day, Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) and Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL) introduced the Assistance for Rural Community Hospitals (ARCH) Act. This bill will extend the Medicare-dependent hospital program and Medicare low-volume hospital payments for five years each and include a GAO report to ensure Medicare rural hospital designations are bolstering rural health care. “Hospitals in rural communities should have access to the same resources as any other hospital to keep their doors open and administer efficient and quality care,” said Congresswoman Miller. “In the midst of rising health care prices and medical workforce shortages, the ARCH act will provide Medicare-dependent and Medicare low-volume hospitals with much needed financial stability. I was pleased to introduce this bill on National Rural Health Day and bring awareness to the concerns rural patients and hospitals are experiencing. I am grateful to Congresswoman Sewell for joining with me on this issue as we champion rural hospitals and provide them with the support they need to serve our communities.” “We in Alabama have seen our rural hospitals come under immense strain, threatening to make it harder for our communities to access the services they need,” said Congresswoman Sewell. “This legislation is about providing stability to our rural hospitals so that they can keep their doors open and continue serving patients. There is no time more befitting than National Rural Health Day to shine a spotlight on the needs of our rural hospitals. I thank Congresswoman Miller for her partnership and urge my colleagues to join us in supporting this legislation.” "On behalf of the 69 hospitals of West Virginia, we are grateful for Congresswoman Carol Miller’s support for our rural hospitals here in our state and across the country,” said Jim Kaufman, President and CEO, West Virginia Hospital Association. "By introducing legislation to extend the Medicare-Dependent Hospital program and enhanced low-volume Medicare adjustments, Congresswoman Miller’s efforts will ensure integral funding for rural hospitals that continue to struggle with unprecedented financial pressures and major staffing challenges. Without legislation to continue these programs, funding will be reduced for rural hospitals and the effect on community health care access would be catastrophic. We truly appreciate Congresswoman Miller’s leadership on this critically important issue." Click here for bill HR-6430 text. Background: Congresswoman Miller and Congresswoman Sewell previously introduced the Assistance for Rural Community Hospitals (ARCH) Act in August of 2022. ### |