Archives
Rehberg Sponsors Bill to Strengthen Rural Healthcare
WASHINGTON - Montana's Congressman, Denny Rehberg, is sponsoring key legislation to bolster the quality of healthcare in rural areas of Montana and prevent rural pharmacies from closing their doors by improving reimbursement procedures. The Health Care Access and Rural Equity (H-CARE) Act of 2006, HR 6030, could be considered by the House as early as this month.
"This is a common-sense bill that brings much needed help to our nation's rural healthcare providers," said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. "The H-CARE Act provides piece of mind to folks living in rural areas. The quality of healthcare is important in any area, but it is especially crucial in rural areas when a clinic or pharmacy can't meet its bottom line, it's forced to close its doors. Fortunately, that's a preventable outcome thanks to this legislation."
The bill requires prompt payment to rural pharmacies by Medicare prescription drug plans and extends several expiring Medicare adjustment payments to rural practitioners including physicians practicing in areas lacking doctors, rural ambulance providers, rural home health agencies and rural hospitals. Technology grants for rural healthcare providers are also authorized under this bill.
"There are needs that are specific to rural healthcare and the H-CARE Act helps clinics and pharmacies provide their patients and customers with the best possible care," said Rehberg, a member of the Rural Health Care Coalition. "This is an important bill for Montana and it's my hope that Congress acts on it before the end of this year."
For more information on Denny's work on healthcare and Medicare issues, please visit http://www.house.gov/rehberg/ or contact Todd Shriber at todd.shriber@mail.house.gov.