TEXAS HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION

Support HR 2665, the Supporting Safety Net Hospitals Act, which would repeal cuts to the Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital Program. Provide feedback on reforms to the Rural Emergency Hospital designation program: The Second Chances for Rural Hospitals Act (H.R. 8246) and the Rural Emergency Hospital Designation Improvement Act (S. 4322). Support the Rural Hospital Support Act (S. 1110) and the Assistance for Rural Community Hospitals Act (H.R. 6430), which extend or make permanent the Low Volume Adjustment and Medicare Dependent Hospital programs. Support the Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act (H.R. 8702/S. 4532), which would streamline prior authorization in Medicare Advantage and improve access to care. Support for the Hospital Inpatient Modernation Act (S. 4350/H.R. 8260), which extends telehealth flexibilities and the Hospital at Home program. Oppose efforts to advance Medicare site neutral payment policies, as seen in the Lower Costs, More Transparency Act (HR 5378). Submit comments to CMS on CMS-10856: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection, specifically about attestations for providers participating in state directed payment programs. Submit comments to CMS on Re: CMS-1809-P; Proposed Rule - Medicare and Medicaid Programs: Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment Systems; Quality Reporting Programs, Including the Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting Program; specifically, provisions related to the market basket payment update, the four walls exception to clinic services in Medicaid, changes to prior authorization for outpatient services, and health and safety standards of obstetrical services in hospitals/critical access hospitals.

Support for The Safety from Violence for Healthcare Employees (SAVE) Act of 2023 (H.R. 2584), which would make it a federal crime to assault or intimidate a hospital employee and as a result interfere with the ability of that employee to perform their duties. Oppose efforts to mandate specific cybersecurity measures for hospitals. Oppose efforts to restrict access to the 340B drug discount program by providers.

Support HR 2665, the Supporting Safety Net Hospitals Act, which would repeal cuts to the Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital Program. Request congressional engagement on Informational Bulletin released by CMS on February 17, 2023 related to permissible state financing arrangements in the Medicaid program. Request Congressional engagement for critical access hospitals that are paid below cost by Medicare Advantage plans. H.R. 4366 - Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024 - supporting provision to delay cuts to the Medicaid Disproportionate Share hospital program, extend rural hospital funding programs, and extend telehealth flexibilities. Oppose efforts to include site neutral payment reforms. Provide feedback on reforms to the Rural Emergency Hospital designation program: The Second Chances for Rural Hospitals Act (H.R. 8246) and the Rural Emergency Hospital Designation Improvement Act (S. 4322). Provide feedback on draft legislation to extend//make permanent certain rural hospital payment programs: Healthcare Enhancement for Americas Rural Towns Act (HEART) Act. Submitted comments to CMS in response to an RFI about Medicare Advantage Data (CMS-4207-NC), specifically on contracting, prior authorization and coverage, payment denials and appeals, payment rates, and supplemental benefits. Submitted comments to CMS on the Inpatient Prospective Payment System (PPS) for Hospitals (CMS-1808), specifically about inadequate payment rates, generally, and for the Medicare Disproportionate Share Hospital program, and an enhanced rural labor and delivery payment add-on. Submitted comments to CMS on the Inpatient Psych PPS proposed rule (CMS-1806), specifically about inadequate payment rates. Submitted comments to CMS about the Inpatient Rehab PPS proposed rule (CMS-1804), specifically about inadequate payment rates. Submitted comments to CMS about the Skilled Nursing Facility PPS proposed rule (CMS-1802), specifically about inadequate payment rates.

Support for The Safety from Violence for Healthcare Employees (SAVE) Act of 2023 (H.R. 2584), which would make it a federal crime to assault or intimidate a hospital employee and as a result interfere with the ability of that employee to perform their duties. Oppose efforts to mandate specific cybersecurity measures for hospitals.

Support HR 2665, the Supporting Safety Net Hospitals Act, which would repeal cuts to the Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital Program. Request congressional engagement on Informational Bulletin released by CMS on February 17, 2023 related to permissible state financing arrangements in the Medicaid program. Request Congressional engagement for critical access hospitals that are paid below cost by Medicare Advantage plans. Support amendment to the FY 2024 Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations bill filed by Rep. Pfluger that would prohibit use of funds by CMS to implement state financing methods in Medicaid. H.R. 4366 - Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024 - supporting provision to delay cuts to the Medicaid Disproportionate Share hospital program and extend rural hospital funding programs.