U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) and U.S. Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO) are among more than 120 lawmakers who recently requested immediate federal assistance for America’s rural hospitals and clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sen. Tillis and Rep. Graves joined 41 senators and 81 representatives to call on U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar to use the funding included in the recently passed $2 trillion relief package, the CARES Act, H.R. 748, to sustain rural health providers. The bill was signed into law on March 27.
“Small and rural hospitals across the nation are facing an acute financial crisis. Even before this crisis, nearly one-half of rural hospitals were operating at a financial loss, and hundreds were on the brink of closure. Now, they are confronting impossible choices during this public health emergency,” wrote the lawmakers in a March 30 letter sent to Secretary Azar. “The administration must focus on ensuring the financial viability of these providers. Failure to take fast and aggressive action will put the health of our communities at further risk.”
The lawmakers pointed out that most rural hospitals have ceased performing elective procedures and do not see non-urgent patients. “They know the COVID-19 emergency confronting our country must take precedence. However, these actions threaten rural hospitals’ financial viability,” wrote the members.
The lawmakers also wrote that rural hospitals from across the country have told them that they have only days left of cash on hand for payroll and supplies.
“Mr. Secretary, our rural providers need your immediate assistance. Congress has provided you with the funding and flexibility. Now it is up to the administration to respond with rapid action to sustain rural providers,” they wrote. “Any unnecessary delay will only worsen this situation.”