Rural March Madness is here
The end of March brings the expiration of the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) moratorium, as well as expiration of important Medicare payments (including Medicare Dependent Hospitals and the Low Volume Hospital adjustment). This means only two weeks remain until rural providers lose hundreds of millions of dollars. Members of Congress will be back in their states next week and they need to hear from you. Contact your member of Congress, attend a town hall meeting and invite them to your facility. NRHA is working hard to ensure Congress passes a permanent repeal of the SGR and the permanent extension of critical Medicare programs without any "pay-fors" that harm rural providers. Cuts to Critical Access Hospitals and other rural providers would be devastating for the rural health safety net. As we count down the days until March 31 your participation in our advocacy campaign is vital. Join NRHA Monday, March 17 at 12 p.m. ET for an advocacy call to discuss strategies on how to reach your members during their District Work Period. Don’t forget to join NRHA in Las Vegas on April 22-25 for the 37th Annual Rural Health Conference, the nation’s largest gathering of rural health professionals. Learn the latest on policy, rural research and education, hospital and clinic management, state health resources and more.