WASHINGTON, May 5 -- Sen. Ron Wyden issued the following press release:
U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they have introduced legislation that would extend the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration (RCHD) for five years.
The program improves financial stability for rural hospitals by paying the reasonable costs of Medicare inpatient services - including meals, rooms, and nurse care - to prevent hospital closures and maintain critical healthcare access.
"Rural communities in Oregon and throughout America need and deserve access to quality health care," said Wyden, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee. "This proven program has bipartisan support because it works to help provide that care for rural families and...