John C. Fremont Hospital in Mariposa, California
Credit: JCF

August 24, 2024 - The Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) reports a bipartisan bill, the Save Our Safety-Net Hospitals Act, has been introduced with the intent to prevent massive cuts to America’s hospitals’ Medicaid payments. Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) funding helps preserve access to care at hospitals and health systems that serve the most vulnerable populations.  Many hospitals rely on this funding to remain operational—but DSH caps determine the maximum amount of federal Medicaid DSH funding a hospital can receive. The amount of capped DSH funding has traditionally been based on the financial losses from services provided to uninsured patients, Medicaid enrollees and dual-eligible enrollees (Medicaid patients who also have Medicare or other third-party coverage). 

This legislation defines the Medicaid shortfall component of the DSH cap to include costs and payments for (a) patients for whom Medicaid is the primary payer, plus (b) unreimbursed costs associated with Medicare duals (if any), plus (c) unreimbursed costs associated with all other duals (if any).  

This measure was introduced by Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-Solano) and Representatives Nick LaLota (R-NY), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-IN), Mike Lawler (R-NY), and Frank Mrvan (D-IN).

ABOUT RURAL COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES OF CALIFORNIA (RCRC)
The Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) is a thirty-seven member county strong service organization that champions policies on behalf of California’s rural counties. RCRC is dedicated to representing the collective unique interests of its membership, providing legislative and regulatory representation at the State and Federal levels, and providing responsible services for its members to enhance and protect the quality of life in rural California counties. To learn more about RCRC, visit rcrcnet.org and follow @RuralCounties on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Source: RCRC