Congress Passes Spending Bill With Hospital and Health System Priorities

Congress today passed and President Trump signed into law a massive two-year budget bill containing a number of priorities important to hospitals and health systems. In addition to immediately funding the government until March 23, the bill also raises the debt ceiling and sets spending levels for the next two years, raising defense and domestic spending by about $300 billion. Among other provisions important to hospitals and health systems, the bill delays $5 billion in Medicaid disproportionate share hospital reductions scheduled for fiscal years 2018 and 2019; extends several Medicare payment adjustments that support access in rural communities; eases future electronic health record regulatory burdens; and provides additional funding for disaster relief, the opioid crisis and Children's Health Insurance Program. For reaction, see the statement from AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack.