Bill Overview
Title: Fairness for Rural Teaching Hospitals Act of 2022
Description: This bill extends through FY2027 and otherwise revises the Medicare-Dependent Hospital program, which provides additional payments to certain small rural hospitals that have a high proportion of Medicare patients.
Sponsors: Rep. Meuser, Daniel [R-PA-9]
Target Audience
Population: People relying on Medicare services through rural hospitals
Estimated Size: 10000000
- The bill impacts the Medicare-Dependent Hospital program, which affects hospitals with a high number of Medicare patients.
- There is an emphasis on rural teaching hospitals, which tend to be smaller and located in rural communities.
- Medicare predominantly serves older adults in the age group of 65 and above.
- Rural areas can contain a significant number of older adults who rely on local hospitals for healthcare.
- Rural populations tend to have fewer healthcare facilities overall, making each local hospital more critical to the community.
- Teaching hospitals also support educational opportunities for medical students, impacting healthcare education.
Reasoning
- The Fairness for Rural Teaching Hospitals Act supports small rural hospitals with high Medicare patient ratios, crucial in areas with limited healthcare facilities.
- Many elderly individuals in rural areas rely on these hospitals for medical care, generally resulting in better health outcomes with enhanced hospital support.
- Residents in rural areas often have limited access to healthcare facilities, so support to local hospitals directly impacts their wellbeing.
- The policy aims to direct funding to smaller rural hospitals, which might otherwise struggle to remain financially viable and provide necessary services.
- Rural teaching hospitals also contribute to training the next generation of healthcare professionals, impacting long-term healthcare service quality.
Simulated Interviews
Retired teacher (Tupelo, Mississippi)
Age: 72 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm worried about my local hospital's ability to stay open with rising costs and decreasing services.
- If the hospital closes, it would be a struggle to get necessary healthcare.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 1 |
Farmer (Baraboo, Wisconsin)
Age: 67 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Keeping our local hospital funded crucially affects my healthcare access.
- Policies that support hospitals benefit our entire community.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 2 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 1 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 1 |
Retired nurse (Sandpoint, Idaho)
Age: 81 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our local hospital has been a lifesaver, literally. Without it, I would be in dire straits.
- I'm cautiously hopeful that the policy will secure the hospital's future.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 2 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 2 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 1 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 1 |
Hospital administrator (Columbia, Missouri)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- There's always anxiety about meeting financial ends in our hospital, especially with Medicare reimbursements.
- This policy could be a lifeline for our rural hospital, allowing us to focus on care rather than constant budget cuts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 2 |
Retired social worker (Grand Junction, Colorado)
Age: 78 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Healthcare access is a concern since the hospital is vital to our community.
- Supporting local hospitals is crucial for people like me who can't travel far for medical care.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 2 |
Rancher (Vernal, Utah)
Age: 63 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The local hospital is a rare constant in a rural life filled with change.
- Policies like this that keep hospitals functioning are essential for our health and wellbeing.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 2 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 1 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 1 |
Retired librarian (Cambridge, New York)
Age: 70 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm anxious about our local hospital's ability to continue providing services without support.
- The policy could give a necessary boost to keep quality care within our reach.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 2 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 2 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 1 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 1 |
Retired engineer (Lubbock, Texas)
Age: 74 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Keeping our local hospital well-staffed and equipped is hugely important to me and my family.
- Policies that help maintain essential services are necessary for rural areas.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 2 |
Local store owner (Galesburg, Illinois)
Age: 65 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The hospital is a cornerstone of this community, supporting local businesses too.
- I'm optimistic that this bill will enhance both health outcomes and community vibrancy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 2 |
Retired steelworker (Huntingdon, Pennsylvania)
Age: 61 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Losing our hospital would be a disaster for everyone, especially seniors relying on Medicare.
- This policy could help maintain accessible care close to home.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 2 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 1 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $400000000 (Low: $350000000, High: $450000000)
Year 2: $400000000 (Low: $350000000, High: $450000000)
Year 3: $400000000 (Low: $350000000, High: $450000000)
Year 5: $400000000 (Low: $350000000, High: $450000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The extension of the Medicare-Dependent Hospital program supports rural hospitals which are crucial for healthcare delivery in rural areas.
- The number of hospitals receiving funding and the amount per hospital could influence the overall cost and impact of the bill.
- Healthcare access for rural Medicare beneficiaries is likely to improve, supporting local rural economies and stabilizing small hospitals.