Missouri Congressman Jason Smith introduced the Saving Rural Hospitals from Closure Act. The bill would require HHS to forgive all Medicare Advance and Accelerated Payments (MAAP) for rural hospitals that are experiencing severe financial hardship. Additionally, it would extend the timeline for rural hospitals’ repayment or lower the interest rate of their payments. The legislation stipulates that HHS must make a decision within 30 days of receiving a request from a struggling hospital. In the months since April, Congressman Smith has implored both the White House and Congressional leaders to explore cost saving opportunities to rural hospitals.
