On National Rural Health Day, Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) and Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL) introduced the Rural Hospital Flexibility Act of 2024. This legislation aims to reauthorize and modify the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Program, which provides funding to support Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs).
Congresswoman Miller highlighted the challenges faced by West Virginia’s 21 CAHs and the 1,332 CAHs across the U.S., stating, “Without enough support or additional resources, it can be difficult for West Virginia’s 21 Critical Access Hospitals and the other 1,332 CAHs in the U.S. to provide the quality health care that rural communities need. That’s why I introduced the Rural Hospital Flexibility Act of 2024.”
Congresswoman Sewell emphasized the financial difficulties faced by Alabama’s rural hospitals: “At a time when Alabama’s rural hospitals are facing enormous financial challenges, we must do all we can to ensure that patients in rural communities can access the lifesaving services they need.”
Alan Morgan, CEO of The National Rural Health Association, expressed gratitude for their efforts: “The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) thanks U.S. House of Representatives Carol Miller and Terri Sewell for their efforts to reauthorize the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility program.”
Tammy Norville, CEO of the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health, supported this initiative: “On behalf of the 50 State Offices of Rural Health, we are thrilled to see Representatives Carol Miller and Terri Sewell introduce the FLEX Reauthorization bill.”
Jim Kaufman, President and CEO of the West Virginia Hospital Association, praised Representative Miller’s introduction of this act: “The West Virginia Hospital Association…applauds Representative Carol Miller for introduction of the Rural Hospital Flexibility Act.”
The program allows states to use funds supporting CAHs through training and technical aid while increasing access to high-quality health care services in rural areas.
