Grand Canyon Times

U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto, Maggie Hassan, John Barrasso, and Marsha Blackburn have introduced the Rural Hospital Flexibility Act. This legislation aims to permanently reauthorize and modernize the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Program. The program provides states with funding for rural hospitals to enhance health care services through training, technical support, and equipment upgrades.

The focus of this program is on Critical Access Hospitals—small rural facilities with 25 beds or fewer, located at least 35 miles from another hospital or more than 15 miles in areas with challenging terrain. In Nevada alone, these hospitals serve nearly 300,000 people.

Senator Cortez Masto emphasized the importance of accessible health care for all residents of Nevada: “Every Nevadan needs access to quality health care, no matter where they live.” She added that the reauthorization of this program is crucial for improving rural health care systems.

Dr. John Packham from UNR School of Medicine noted that the act will enable ongoing support for Nevada’s rural hospitals: “The Rural Hospital Flexibility Act of 2024 will allow... vital technical assistance and support.”

Senator Hassan highlighted the necessity of supporting rural hospitals in New Hampshire: “It is crucial that we continue to support our rural hospitals so that all Granite Staters can have access to high-quality, affordable health care.”

Senator Barrasso pointed out the flexibility provided by this program to meet local needs: “Wyoming’s rural hospitals understand best what their patients and communities need.”

Senator Blackburn praised the long-standing benefits of the FLEX program: "For over 25 years, the FLEX program has been instrumental in supporting rural hospitals and healthcare providers."

Alan Morgan from The National Rural Health Association expressed gratitude towards the senators' efforts: "Flex is instrumental in serving critical access hospitals across the country."

Additionally, Senator Cortez Masto has been active in legislative efforts aimed at improving emergency services and extending Medicare payments for ambulances. Her initiatives also include ensuring fair reimbursement for ambulance providers and protecting Medicare Advantage programs.