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June 13, 2007 Members of Congress Oppose CMS Medicare CutsCongressional Letters Oppose CMS Cuts in the FY2008 IPPS Rule IHA thanks the members of our Congressional delegation who signed recent Senate and House letters urging CMS to drop onerous provisions in its FY2008 proposed inpatient PPS rule. Special thanks to Illinois Congressman Jerry Weller for co-circulating the House letter and to IHA member hospitals who contacted their members of Congress regarding this effort. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is being urged to stop nearly $25 billion in proposed cuts to the Medicare inpatient prospective payment (PPS) system. In separate letters to CMS, 63 U.S. Senators and 269 U.S. Representatives opposed provisions in the proposed inpatient PPS rule that would cut Medicare payments to hospitals by 2.4% in the next two years and eliminate the capital update for urban hospitals (a 0.8% cut) and additional payments for large urban hospitals (an additional 3% cut). Click here to view the Weller/Lewis House Letter
- Final Letter (6/13)
While the letters have been sent, CMS is still accepting comments on the proposed inpatient PPS rule until 5 p.m. EDT on June 12. Comments may be submitted electronically at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/eRulemaking (attachments can be in Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, or Excel; however, CMS prefers Microsoft Word). IHA thanks Sens. Durbin and Obama for signing the Salazar/Roberts letter and the following Representatives who signed the Weller/Lewis letter opposing CMS proposed Medicare IPPS cuts. Judy Biggert (R-13) Background: The first provision would cut payments to all hospitals by 2.4 percent in 2008 and 2009 (resulting in approximately $24 billion over five years). This cut is being done in anticipation of coding changes CMS says hospitals might make under the new severity diagnosis-related group (DRG) system. The new system would include 745 new Medicare-severity DRGs to replace the current 538 DRGs. In addition, the proposed rule would eliminate the capital update for urban hospitals and the additional payments provided to large urban hospitals (approximately $1 billion). The combined impact of these provisions would amount to a statewide average decrease in Medicare payments from FFY2007 to FFY2008 of negative 0.2% in hospital payments. Recognizing the importance of keeping our Medicare system strong, Congress rejected cutting Medicare in its FY2008 budget resolution. This proposed rule would jeopardize the ability of hospitals to fulfill the promise our nation has made to its seniors. IHA previously mailed hospital-specific impact sheets and an overview of the rule. The technical bulletin is posted on IHA’s web site (click here). Be certain that your member of Congress knows how these cuts could adversely affect the services that your hospital provides. Drastic CMS Medicare payment cuts not only will jeopardize hospitals’ ability to ensure that Medicare patients receive needed care. They will impact hospitals’ ability to meet the needs of all patients and communities. The pressures of keeping pace with recruiting and retaining quality staff, meeting rising costs associated with drugs, clinical and electronic technology upgrades; and disaster preparedness are all affected when hospitals are unable to keep up with the costs of inflation. When Members of Congress weigh in on issues and make their opinions known - it makes a difference. They are our elected officials, chosen to represent and protect the health and well-being of our people. Please urge your Representative to sign the House letter. | |
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