Washington, D.C. – Last week, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) helped pass the Bipartisan Budget Act that was signed into law by President Trump. Included in this legislation was a five-year extension of the Low-Volume Hospital (LV) and Medicare-Dependent Hospital (MDH) Programs that several hospitals in NY-21 rely on.
“Hospitals across our district rely on this important funding to help ensure families across our district – especially seniors – get the care they need,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “This important bill gives Alice Hyde Medical Center/UVM Health Network, Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center, Massena Memorial Hospital, Nathan-Littauer Hospital, and Adirondack Medical Center needed stability to serve families across our region. I will continue to advocate in Congress for the healthcare needs of our district.”
“The Medicare Dependent Hospital and Medicare Low-Volume payment adjustment are critical lifelines for New York’s rural and small community hospitals,” said HANYS President Bea Grause. “We thank Rep. Stefanik for her strong support for extending these programs, providing much-needed certainty for hospitals that are essential to maintaining the healthcare services and economies of their communities.”
“The extension of the Medicare-Dependent Hospital (MDH) program will have a significant impact on Alice Hyde Medical Center (AHMC). The change will result in over $600,000 each year returning to AHMC. As our dedicated staff work diligently to help AHMC get back on its feet, this funding is critical to their success, supporting their efforts to provide the highest quality of care to our patients. We greatly appreciate Congresswoman Stefanik’s tireless efforts to protect this program that’s so vital to the stability and sustainability of small rural hospitals like ours,” AHMC President and CEO Stephens Mundy.
“Massena Memorial Hospital (MMH) is committed to meeting the health care needs of Northern St Lawrence County,” said Bob Wolleben, CEO at Massena Memorial Hospital. “In that mission, we are fortunate to have a valued legislative partner like Elise Stefanik whose effort has led to a reauthorization of the Medicare Dependent Hospital/Low Volume Adjustment program. This program is essential to MMH’s financial future and the funding she has secured helps MMH make a difference every day.”
"We are thankful that the federal budget agreement includes the Medicare Low-Volume Hospital program," said Nathan Howell, President & Chief Executive Officer at Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center. "We appreciate the work of our representatives in ensuring that rural hospitals and the vital care they provide, were not forgotten. For Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center, this funding is critical. With nearly 57% of our acute patient discharges covered by Medicare, any time there are cuts we are affected. The Medicare Low-Volume Hospital program helps ensure we are able to continue to provide necessary healthcare services to our community, including renal dialysis and mental health services. It also not only helps cover the cost of hospital operations, it allows us to bring new services and providers to our community.
Background:
MDH Funding Included for FY-2018-2022:
|
Nathan Littauer Hospital |
Fulton County |
$6,620,127 |
LV Funding Included for FY 2018-2022:
|
Adirondack Medical Center |
Essex County |
$6,104,400 |
|
Alice Hyde Medical Center |
Franklin County |
$4,656,300 |
|
Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center |
St. Lawrence County |
$5,153,300 |
|
Massena Memorial Hospital |
St. Lawrence County |
$4,217,500 |
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