Federal Programs are Failing to Protect Rural Hospitals

The Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) was designed to help rural hospitals after the Medicaid cuts implemented earlier this year, but it’s failing to actually sustain rural healthcare. The RHTP provides $50 billion over five years for states to invest in rural healthcare, but this amount covers just barely one-third of the uncompensated care rural hospitals will be responsible for following Medicaid cuts. There is also a 15% cap on payments to providers, meaning hospitals will need to set aside large chunks of revenue to pay providers for life-saving care to uninsured patients. Our Health Equity advocates for accessible and affordable healthcare for all Americans, no matter where they live. Read more here.