A segment of a health-care reform bill moving through the U.S. Senate could give Newman Regional Health’s board of trustees something to consider, if the bill is passed in its current form.
Hospital Administrator Bob Driewer talked about the potential for increased federal funds that could be due the hospital through expansion of the rural community hospital designation that is included in the Senate’s bill.
The number of “most-rural” community hospitals would increase from 10 to 15 under the plan. Kansas is No. 11 on the most-rural list.
If Kansas becomes part of the list, Newman could be eligible for added funds, if it limits its licensed in-patient bed capacity to 50.
“It probably means about a million a year — or more,” Driewer said. “… The down side is that you’re at 50 beds.”
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