Miller, Sewell Introduce Assistance for Rural Community Hospitals Act

Press Release

Congresswomen Carol Miller (R-WV) and Terri Sewell (D-AL) introduced the Assistance for Rural Community Hospitals (ARCH) Act, which would extend Medicare-dependent hospital and Medicare low-volume hospital payments for five years.

"Rural hospitals are the foundation of West Virginia's health care infrastructure," said Congresswoman Miller. "It is essential to the wellbeing of rural communities that these smaller health care access points have the resources and accommodations necessary to remain operable. I am pleased to join Congresswoman Sewell on the ARCH Act to support our rural hospitals and Medicare patients."

"Our West Virginia hospitals are grateful for Congresswoman Carol Miller's support of local rural hospitals here in our state and across the country," said Melanie Dempsey, Vice President, Financial Policy, West Virginia Hospital Association. "By introducing legislation to extend the Medicare-Dependent Hospital program and enhanced low-volume Medicare adjustments, her efforts will ensure integral funding for rural hospitals that are struggling with unprecedented financial pressures. Without legislation to continue these programs, they will expire September 30, 2022, reducing payments to participating rural hospitals by $0.6 billion. The effect on community health care access would be catastrophic without the continuation of these programs."

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