Hinds Today

U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi recently engaged with Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra in a discussion aimed at exploring options to prevent the closure of rural hospitals in the state. During a hearing to review the FY2025 HHS budget requests, Hyde-Smith highlighted the importance of enrolling at-risk hospitals in a demonstration program that could enhance their reimbursement rates.

"Mississippi ranks among the states with the highest rates of hospitals at risk of closing. This demonstration program could serve as a means to keeping their rural hospital doors open to serve their communities in need of high-quality healthcare," Senator Hyde-Smith expressed to Secretary Becerra.

In response, Secretary Becerra acknowledged the significance of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) demonstration program in providing a lifeline to rural hospitals facing financial challenges. He emphasized the necessity of exploring alternative payment models to support these healthcare facilities.

"It is absolutely essential that we give hospitals that are willing to stay open a chance to survive if the older version, definition of how they get reimbursed isn’t working for them," Becerra affirmed. "We look forward to working with you because we have got to figure out a way to keep some of these facilities open and operating."

Furthermore, Senator Hyde-Smith addressed the issue of maternal health in Mississippi, expressing concerns about the limited access to prenatal care in certain regions of the state. She highlighted the challenges faced by expectant mothers in accessing maternity care, particularly in rural areas designated as "OB deserts."

"How can we work with you to improve outcomes for our mothers and babies in Mississippi?" Hyde-Smith inquired, seeking insights from Secretary Becerra.

Becerra stressed the importance of early access to care for pregnant women and emphasized the role of telemedicine in providing healthcare services to rural communities. He underscored the significance of maintaining existing healthcare facilities in rural America to ensure adequate access to essential medical services.

"The most important thing is early access and, as you mentioned, sometimes because a state like Mississippi has a lot of rural communities it is tough to have access," Becerra remarked. "That’s why it is so important to not allow any existing health facility to go under in rural America because then the access becomes even more difficult."

Both Senator Hyde-Smith and Secretary Becerra agreed on the necessity for Congress to take action to extend long-term authorization for Medicare telehealth flexibilities, which are set to expire in December. Hyde-Smith highlighted her support for the Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act, which aims to expand telehealth coverage through Medicare and improve healthcare outcomes for patients.

In conclusion, the collaborative efforts between Senator Hyde-Smith and Secretary Becerra underscore the importance of addressing healthcare challenges in rural areas, particularly in Mississippi, and working towards sustaining essential medical services for communities in need.