Senators say legislation would help keep small rural hospitals open and improve access to emergency and inpatient care

Organ Mountain News report

WASHINGTON - U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján introduced legislation Wednesday aimed at helping rural hospitals in New Mexico remain open and continue providing emergency and inpatient care.

The Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Reauthorization Act would extend the federal Rural Community Hospital Demonstration program for another five years.

According to the senators, some small rural hospitals are too large to qualify for Critical Access Hospital status but still struggle financially under Medicare’s current payment system. The demonstration program allows qualifying hospitals to receive reimbursement rates that more closely reflect the actual cost of care.

New Mexico hospitals currently participating in the program include Roosevelt General Hospital in Portales and Artesia General Hospital.

“Access to a nearby hospital in a rural community can make a life-or-death difference for folks needing emergency care in minutes, not hours,” Heinrich said in a statement. “But that requires keeping rural hospitals open.”

Luján said many rural hospitals across New Mexico face closure risks and called the program essential for maintaining access to healthcare in smaller communities.

The legislation is led by Sens. Chuck Grassley and Michael Bennet and includes bipartisan support from senators representing several rural states.

Kaye Green, CEO of Roosevelt General Hospital, said the program helps sustain inpatient and swing bed services that often operate at a financial loss for smaller hospitals because of low patient volume.

According to the senators, the federal demonstration program has supported 55 rural hospitals nationwide since 2005.