Miller, Sewell Reintroduce the Assistance for Rural Community Hospitals Act
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) and Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL) reintroduced 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 obtain clear information on the different Medicare rural hospital designations.
“Rural hospitals are committed to offering the best care that they can provide for patients, but it is only possible if they have adequate resources. That’s why I am reintroducing the ARCH Act with Congresswoman Sewell. This bill will extend the Medicare-dependent hospital program and Medicare low-volume hospital payments to equip these hospitals with the financial support and services needed to keep their doors open to their communities,” said Congresswoman Miller.
“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. I thank Congresswoman Miller for her partnership and urge my colleagues to join us in supporting this legislation.”
“Small, rural hospitals, like Medicare-dependent hospitals and those receiving low-volume payment adjustments, need certainty around Medicare reimbursement for budgeting and planning purposes. That’s why the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) is proud to endorse the Assistance for Rural Community Hospitals Act, which would ensure these designations are in place through fiscal year 2031. We applaud Representatives Miller and Sewell for recognizing the importance of a long-term extension for these critical rural hospitals and their continued commitment to improving rural health care,” said Alan Morgan, CEO of the National Rural Health Association (NRHA).
“During this time of sustained financial pressure and innovation and change in care delivery, the ARCH Act will help keep the doors open at rural hospitals and allow them to continue serving their local communities through Medicare-dependent Hospital and enhanced Low-volume Adjustment programs. These programs are vital to ensuring local access to for patients and communities to high-quality, health care and the AHA appreciates Reps. Miller and Sewell for leading this important effort,” said Lisa Kidder Hrobsky, senior vice president of federal relations, advocacy and political affairs for the American Hospital Association.
"Congresswoman Carol Miller's unwavering advocacy for rural healthcare has earned the deep appreciation of West Virginia's entire hospital community," said Jim Kaufman, President and CEO of the West Virginia Hospital Association. "Her introduction of legislation to extend the Medicare-Dependent Hospital program and enhanced low-volume Medicare adjustments addresses the critical financial and staffing challenges facing rural hospitals. By securing this vital funding through 2031, her leadership creates the stability rural healthcare facilities need to enhance services throughout our communities and across the nation."
Click here for bill text.
Background:
Congresswoman Miller previously introduced the Assistance for Rural Community Hospitals (ARCH) Act in November of 2023 and August of 2022.
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