NRHA's Rural Health Voices blog offers informed commentary on the latest news in rural health care from NRHA staff and editorials from selected contributors.

Additional Legislation of Interest

HR 1044Medicare Access to Rural Anesthesiology Act of 2011Reps. Jenkins (KS-2), Akin (MO-2), Bucshon (IN-8), Cueller (TX-28), Heller (NV-2)Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide payment under Medicare part A on a reasonable cost basis for anesthesia services furnished by a physician who is an anesthesiologist in rural hospitals in the same manner as payment is made for anesthesia services furnished by a certified registered nurse anesthetists in such hospitals. Read more

Capitol Hill Hearing on ACA Implementation

On Friday, April 15 at 10 A.M. the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee of House Appropriations Committee will hold a hearing on the current status of implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services is scheduled to testify. The hearing will take place in the Rayburn House Office Building, room 2359. C-Span may make the hearing available online or you may review the transcript of...

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Capitol Hill Hearing Update

Friday 10 A.M. Subcommittee Hearing Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee (Chairman Rehberg, R-Mont.) of House Appropriations Committee will hold a hearing on the current status of implementation of the health care overhaul law. Witnesses: Kathleen Sebelius - Secretary of Health and Human Services

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CMS website down during possible government shutdown

In the event of a Federal Government shutdown on Friday, April 8, 2011, the CMS.gov website will not be live.  This includes the Medicare Coverage Database which means that no public comments may be submitted on any of the open national coverage analyses.

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Mostashari to head ONC

It was just announced that Farzad Mostashari, M.D. was named head of the Office of National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) at HHS. Dr. Mostashari will replace David Blumenthal, M.D. who is leaving this month. Dr. Mostashari joined ONC in July 2009 and serves as Deputy National Coordinator for Programs and Policy.

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Rural Hospital Protection Act

Due to the dire need for legislative action in order to protect CAHs from detrimental provider taxes, NRHA strongly supports passage of the Rural Hospital Protection Act and commends Reps. Graves and Kind for their work and leadership in this important area. Reps. Sam Graves (R-MO) and Ron Kind (D- WI) introduced the Rural Hospital Protection Act on Wednesday April 6. This legislation would ensure that critical access hospitals continue to be appropriately reimbursed for provider taxes...

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Who would a Government Shutdown Affect?

Many of our members have asked who a government shutdown will affect and what functions will continue. The Office of Professional Management, in correlation with each individual agency, will decide who is an "essential employee" performing a mandatory function. Specifically relating to the Department of Health and Human Services, the Medicare program and the Federal responsibilities relating to Medicaid will remain open. Similarly, the Social Security Administration will continue to mail...

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Senate Passes Repeal of Extended 1099 Tax Reporting

On Tuesday, the Senate passed HR 4 to fully repeal the expanded 1099 reporting contained in last year's health care law. While the President would need to sign the bill before it becomes law, the White House has indicated its pleasure that the bill has passed and that it supports its principles. Many lawmakers have expressed concern that this provision, which requires businesses to file 1099 forms with the Internal Revenue Service for payments of $600 or more to vendors, would create an...

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Week in Review and Legislative Spotlight

On March 30, 2011, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius testified before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies...

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Status of the Continuing Resolution and Appropriations 2012

The status of the appropriations process for fiscal year (FY) 2011 remains in a state of flux. Both political parties have indicated a desire to finalize one last continuing resolution (CR) for the remainder of FY 2011 instead of passing multiple, short-term CRs. The current CR (PL 112-6) is set to expire on April 8. If the two political parties do not reach an agreement by then, a government shutdown will ensue. Notwithstanding the status of affairs for the rest of FY 2011, the budget and...

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