Wicker, Cochran Say Federal Regs Don’t Account for Rural Health Care Needs
Miss. Senators, Bipartisan Senate Group Ask Administration to Consider Rural Impact Before Finalizing Health Care Policies
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) are pushing the Obama administration to more effectively consider the effects its federal rules and regulations have on the delivery of health care in rural areas.
The Mississippi Senators are among 34 who have signed a letter to Marilyn B. Tavenner, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that asks her to provide comprehensive details about the CMS rulemaking process and how rural health care concerns are addressed. The Senators assert that recent policy decisions have not adequately reflected the reality of health delivery in rural areas.
“The Obama Administration should not overlook the consequences of burdensome regulations on rural health-care providers,” said Wicker. “Many Americans living in these areas face unique obstacles to accessing quality health care. These new rules should be thoroughly reviewed to prevent harmful effects on providers and patients.”
“A one size fits all approach to health care regulations too often puts rural residents at a disadvantage and makes access to care more difficult. This letter is a warning to the administration that our constituents deserve better,” said Cochran, who serves on the Senate Appropriations subcommittee that inserted provisions in a FY2014 law directing CMS to coordinate with the Office of Rural Health Policy when developing rules.
PoliticalNews
10/14/14