Name: Ohio Congress members introduce bill to help hospitals financially hit by coronavirus
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Ohio Congress members introduce bill to help hospitals financially hit by coronavirus

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NEW!899sharesWASHINGTON, D.C. - Two Northeast Ohio Congress members have introduced bipartisan legislation to help keep hospitals from financial insolvency after they were forced to drastically scale back non-coronavirus related services during the COVID-19 pandemic.The legislation from Reps. Marcy Kaptur and Bob Gibbs, introduced Monday, would forgive federal loans that hospitals and health care providers received during the crisis.A statement from Kaptur, a Toledo Democrat, said that canceling elective procedures while ramping up ICU capacity “has some of America’s hospitals on the brink of financial disaster.” Her legislation would forgive loans they received earlier this year under the Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payments program.“Unfortunately, without further support, hospitals will face another financial crisis just months from now when the government begins to withhold Medicare payments for services provided after the pandemic and until the loans are repaid,” said Kaptur. “We cannot allow for any hospital to close or significantly scale back operations.”A statement from Gibbs, a Holmes County Republican, agreed that the financial crunch could have a “dramatic, possibly devastating impact” on hospitals’ ability to continue providing care to the communities they serve.“Without an option for loan forgiveness, we could see hospital closures around the country, leaving parts of the country without easy access to critical care.” Gibbs statement continued.The bill’s 40 additional cosponsors include all Ohio’s Democratic House members, as well as Republicans Anthony Gonzalez of Rocky River, Dave Joyce of Bainbridge Township, Mike Turner of Dayton, Troy Balderson of Zanesville, and Steve Stivers of Columbus.Hospitals in Ohio got $3.8 billion from the program that Congress approved during the emergency. A statement from University Hospitals in support of the legislation said health systems all over the country incurred tremendous costs preparing for a surge in COVID-19 patients, while their revenue went down from suspending nonessential surgeries and procedures.Cleveland-based University Hospitals estimates its increased pandemic-related costs for supplies, labor and operations exceeds $30 million, and it noted the American Hospital Association estimates health systems around the country are losing $1.4 billion daily. University Hospitals says it has done all it can to reduce capital and operating costs, including temporarily reducing physician pay. A statement from the hospital system called the COVID-19 Hospital Forgiveness Act “critical legislation that would help UH and other health systems continue to advance the health and wellbeing of our communities during a pandemic with no immediate end in sight.“UH is grateful to have received advanced/accelerated Medicare payments from Health &amp; Human Services, in effect loans, that helped us fund the cost of preparedness for the potential surge in critically ill COVID-19 patients,” the statement said. “This support as well as grants received through the federal stimulus program known as the CARES Act are very important, but aren’t nearly enough to close the significant shortfalls created by the pandemic.”The MetroHealth System also experienced a dramatic revenue decrease due to the coronavirus pandemic as elective surgeries and outpatient visits were drastically curtailed, according to a statement from its chief financial officer, Craig Richmond.“We are only now reactivating many of our services as we navigate an economy that’s far different than anyone could have predicted when this year began,” Richmond’s statement said. “The advance payments from Medicare have been a valuable financial cushion during the emergency, and forgiveness of these loans would be welcome relief to MetroHealth and other hospitals.”Last month, hundreds of hospitals around the country including UH, Akron-based Summa Health, Lake Health in Lake County, and Sisters of Charity Health System to top congressional leaders warning that without loan forgiveness, hospitals will face another financial crisis when the government begins to withhold Medicare payments for services provided after the pandemic fades and until the loans are repaid.“Without substantially more financial support, it is nearly certain that many hospitals will be forced to close or significantly reduce health care services over the next several months – and perhaps longer,” the letter said. “This would be a tragic consequence, especially if the nation is hit with another round of the viral epidemic later this year.”More coverage:Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission.

NEW!899sharesWASHINGTON, D.C. - Two Northeast Ohio Congress members have introduced bipartisan legislation to help keep hospitals from financial insolvency after they were forced to drastically scale back non-coronavirus related services during the COVID-19 pandemic.The legislation from Reps. Marcy Kaptur and Bob Gibbs, introduced Monday, would forgive federal loans that hospitals and health care providers received during the crisis.A statement from Kaptur, a Toledo Democrat, said that canceling elective procedures while ramping up ICU capacity “has some of America’s hospitals on the brink...

Ohio Congress members introduce bill to help hospitals financially hit by coronavirus

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