Senators Jon Tester (D-MT) and John Hoeven (R-ND) recently introduced legislation to extend the Frontier Community Health Integration Program (FCHIP), which expired last summer. Under this program, ten Critical Access Hospitals across Montana, Nevada, and North Dakota would test new health care delivery and reimbursement models. Specifically, FCHIP allows additional Skilled Nursing Facility or Nursing Facility beds, supports telehealth expansion, and reimburses ambulance service expenses. The announcement comes amid an accelerating hospital closure crisis where 47% of rural hospitals are vulnerable. You can follow this bill via the National Rural Health Association Legislative Tracker.
