Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith cosponsors rural hospital bill

Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith is backing new legislation aimed at helping more rural hospitals stay open.

The bipartisan ‘Rural Emergency Hospital Improvement Act’ would expand eligibility and flexibility under a Medicare program that offers higher reimbursement rates to qualifying rural hospitals.

The bill would also allow some previously closed hospitals to reopen and apply for the program while giving facilities more flexibility to offer psychiatric and rehabilitation services.

More than 150 rural hospitals have closed nationwide since 2010.