Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Postponing A Delay To Funding Cut For Hospitals' Uncompensated-Care Costs Floated By House Committee
Modern Healthcare: House Panel Proposes Delay In Cuts To Uncompensated-Care Funding
House lawmakers have made a move to postpone a multibillion-dollar cut to federal funds to offset hospitals' uncompensated-care costs. The House Energy and Commerce Committee added language that would delay the disproportionate-share hospital funding cuts to its Children's Health Insurance Program reauthorization bill. The Affordable Care Act required the CMS to cut Medicaid DSH funds by $43 billion between fiscal 2018 and 2025. The cuts build year over year, starting at $2 billion in fiscal 2018 and ending at $8 billion in fiscal 2025. (Dickson, 10/3)
The Philadelphia Inquirer/Philly.com: South Jersey Hospital Is On Life Support, Lawmakers Say, Seeing Rescue In Disputed Trust Fund
The Memorial Hospital of Salem County, which has been struggling for years, remains on life support and desperately needs an infusion of cash from a trust fund to keep its doors open, state lawmakers said Tuesday. A trio of lawmakers led by State Senate President Steve Sweeney (D., Gloucester) called for the return of the $51 million trust fund to Salem County to help facilitate the sale of the hospital. The money was set aside for the Salem Health and Wellness Foundation when the hospital was sold earlier, in 2002. (Burney, 10/3)
Austin American-Statesman: New $17 Million Rehab Hospital Coming To Round Rock
A new $17 million rehabilitation hospital with a special unit designed to treat patients who have suffered traumatic brain injuries and strokes is slated for completion in mid-2019. (Garcia, 10/3)
Boston Globe: Lahey Health Is Laying Off About 75 Employees
Lahey Health System on Tuesday became the latest local hospital system to slash expenses by cutting jobs. ... The cuts come as Lahey is pursuing a big merger with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and several other hospitals. (Dayal McCluskey, 10/3)
