U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) introduced bipartisan legislation to secure increased federal support for hospitals that care for a large number of Medicaid and uninsured patients in Wyoming and other rural states. 'Our legislation will ensure hospitals in Wyoming and across rural America get the support they deserve so they can keep providing care to those who need it most,' said Barrasso.
Introduce legislation to secure increased federal support for hospitals that care for a large number of Medicaid and uninsured patients in Wyoming and other rural states.
Occurrences
Evidence
U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), along with Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.), introduced bipartisan legislation to secure increased federal support for hospitals that care for a large number of Medicaid and uninsured patients in Wyoming and other rural states. The Delivering Support for Hospitals (DSH) Act would establish a nationwide federal funding minimum for disproportionate share hospitals (DSH).
Senator Barrasso announced that Wyoming's application for the $50 billion rural health fund, created by the Working Families Tax Cut Act, was approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Wyoming will receive $205,004,743 in 2026 to implement its plan to expand rural healthcare access, stabilize rural hospitals, and improve health outcomes.
Senators Barrasso and Whitehouse introduced the ACO Assignment Improvement Act to expand participation in Medicare's coordinated-care programs by ensuring Medicare recognizes care provided by nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and clinical nurse specialists when determining participation in an Accountable Care Organization (ACO).
Senator Barrasso introduced the Rural Health Clinic Burden Reduction Act to provide regulatory relief for rural health clinics by updating laws governing them, improving guidance on the use of nurse practitioners and physician assistants, enhancing mental health services, and removing outdated lab requirements.
The State Offices of Rural Health (SORH) Reauthorization Act of 2022, co-sponsored by Senator Barrasso, passed the Senate by unanimous consent. The bill reauthorizes a key program supporting health facilities in rural areas, ensuring State Offices of Rural Health have the resources needed to improve information-sharing, technical assistance, and care delivery.
Senators Barrasso and Bennet introduced the Accelerating the Development of Advanced Psychology Trainees (ADAPT) Act to establish Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP coverage for advanced psychology trainees, allowing them to bill for services provided under supervision. This legislation aims to expand access to mental health services in rural areas.
Senator Barrasso highlighted the $50 billion Rural Healthcare Transformation Program, created by the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, which will deliver funding to every state. Wyoming is set to receive $205 million in 2026 to support local hospitals, emergency services, and healthcare staffing.
Senators Coons and Barrasso introduced the Mental Health Access and Provider Support Act to increase Medicare reimbursement rates for clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, and mental health counselors, aiming to support mental health providers and strengthen access to mental health care services.
Sponsor: Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY] (Introduced 11/19/2024). Official title: “A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to establish a minimum Medicaid disproportionate share hospital allotment for States.” Latest action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Barrasso said he and Senators Schatz, Cramer, and Welch “recently introduced bipartisan legislation to ensure that hospitals caring for large numbers of Medicaid and uninsured patients in Wyoming and other rural states receive their fair share of federal funding.” The release says the Fair Funding for Rural Hospitals Act would establish a nationwide federal funding minimum for disproportionate share hospitals (DSH) and increase DSH funding in Wyoming and other rural states.
Barrasso said he and three bipartisan Senate colleagues introduced the Fair Funding for Rural Hospitals Act to give hospitals in Wyoming and other rural states a better share of federal DSH funding for Medicaid and uninsured patients.
Congress.gov records John Barrasso as the sponsor of S.5346, introduced on 2024-11-19, with the bill read twice and referred to the Finance Committee.
Assessments
Barrasso directly introduced the DSH Act in the 118th Congress to establish a minimum Medicaid disproportionate share hospital allotment and increase federal support for hospitals serving Medicaid and uninsured patients in Wyoming and other rural states. That matches the promise, so it counts as delivered in his term even though enactment is not shown here.
Sen. Barrasso sponsored and publicly introduced bipartisan legislation (the Delivering Support for Hospitals/DSH Act, S.5346, introduced 11/19/2024 per Congress.gov) to establish a minimum Medicaid DSH allotment and increase federal support for hospitals serving high shares of Medicaid and uninsured patients. Multiple Senate press releases confirm the bill and related rural-health legislative actions and funding wins for Wyoming, which directly fulfill the promise to introduce legislation to secure increased federal support.
Multiple pieces of evidence demonstrate that Senator Barrasso introduced or co-sponsored numerous bills aimed at securing increased federal support for hospitals serving Medicaid and uninsured patients in Wyoming and other rural states. Most notably, the Delivering Support for Hospitals (DSH) Act directly fulfills the promise by establishing a federal funding minimum for disproportionate share hospitals. Additional legislation, such as the Rural Healthcare Transformation Program, the State Offices of Rural Health (SORH) Reauthorization Act, and several targeted bills to improve rural health care access, also support the claim. These efforts collectively show the promise to 'introduce legislation' was delivered during the same term, with demonstrable and sustained legislative activity.