As rural hospitals across Mississippi continue to struggle, a handful are about to get some help from the federal level.
U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) announced Tuesday that Greenwood Leflore Hospital, Magee General Hospital, and Wayne General Hospital were approved to participate in the Rural Hospital Demonstration program, which aims to aims to support healthcare access and sustainability in rural communities.
“We’ve worked very hard for years to give these hospitals greater federal support to ensure that they stay open to serve rural Mississippians,” Hyde-Smith said. “It hasn’t been easy, but being part of the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration program will allow them to receive more beneficial reimbursements, which is important to keep their doors open.”
The addition of Greenwood Leflore, which has become the face of Mississippi’s hospital woes, comes after Hyde-Smith and Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) penned a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in support of the hospital getting a spot in the program. The letter argued that Greenwood Leflore’s inclusion would “have a tremendous impact on the health and well-being of the community and on the Mississippi Delta.”
Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), who serves the House district in which Greenwood Leflore operates, joined the senators in commending the application approval.
“This is a meaningful victory for Greenwood Leflore Hospital and the rural communities that depend on it,” Thompson said. “For far too long, rural hospitals have operated at a disadvantage, being underfunded, understaffed, and overburdened. This program is a step toward leveling the playing field, giving hospitals the resources they need to provide quality care and remain open.”
Hyde-Smith, who serves on the Senate subcommittee with jurisdiction over CMS, also sent a letter in March in support of Magee General’s application and has previously supported Wayne General’s inclusion in the program as well.
“I am very pleased that Greenwood Leflore, Magee General, and Wayne General have an opportunity to be part of this program,” she said.
The Rural Community Hospital Demonstration program began in 2004 and serves to test the feasibility and advisability of cost-based reimbursements for small rural hospitals that are just large enough not to qualify as a Critical Access Hospital. Upon a participation agreement being signed by the hospitals and sent to CMS, the program will begin providing “more stable and equitable” reimbursement under Medicare, according to Thompson.
