For Immediate Release
March 6, 2009
Contact: Casey Long
(717) 787-7084
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Scarnati: Critical Access Hospitals to Obtain Funding

Brockway -- Rural health care facilities in Pennsylvania will benefit from $5.2 million in funding which was included in the state budget, as well as significant additional federal dollars, according to Senator Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson).  Recipients include six hospitals in the 25th Senatorial District.  Scarnati was instrumental in obtaining the funding, which is important to aid hospitals that serve a large number of low-income and senior citizens.

Among those facilities are Brookville Hospital, Charles Cole Memorial Hospital, Bradford Regional Medical Center, Clearfield Hospital, Kane Community Hospital and Punxsutawney Hospital.  The health care facilities are included under the Designated Critical Access Hospital Program, which mirrors a federal program created by Congress.  The program was designed to help improve rural health care access and reduce hospital closures.

Scarnati said that while federally designated Critical Access Hospitals are entitled to receive cost-based reimbursement for Medicare claims, there is no such guarantee for Medicaid reimbursement.

"Because many rural hospitals treat a large portion of Medicaid patients, they are facing serious financial distress because of the payment policy," Scarnati said.  

"Rural hospitals provide an important lifeline and crucial safety net to many residents who otherwise might not have access to affordable health care," Scarnati said.  "This funding will ensure that these hospitals are fairly reimbursed so they can continue to provide care to residents who rely on them."