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Washington, D.C. – Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-18) announced
today that his bipartisan Rural and Underserved Small Hospital
(RUSH) Protection Act was signed into law by President Joe
Biden. This legislation will update and provide a needed
technical fix to the 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act to
help ensure Rural Health Clinics across the state have the
resources they need to provide access to care for patients in
rural and underserved communities.
“It’s critical that all Illinoisans have access to high-quality
care regardless of where they live,” said Rep. LaHood. “That’s
why I introduced bipartisan legislation to support our Rural
Health Clinics and make sure those established during 2020 don’t
experience unforeseen financial penalties. We must continue to
support our outstanding rural health care providers and protect
access to care for rural communities across Illinois, and this
law is an important step in doing just that.”
"OSF HealthCare very much appreciates the efforts of Congressman
LaHood to protect the needed funding for Rural Health Clinics.
This bipartisan measure will prevent harmful cuts and help to
protect rural communities that depend on these important clinics
for their healthcare," added Chris Manson, Vice President of
Government Relations at OSF HealthCare.
Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) play a vital role in providing
access to care for rural communities across Illinois and have
been on the frontlines of combatting COVID-19 in our rural
regions. Unfortunately, due to a drafting error in the 2021
Consolidated Appropriations Act, many RHCs affiliated with both
critical access hospitals and larger health systems that opened
in 2020 could face significant Medicare payment cuts. The RUSH
Protection Act will correct this error and help ensure RHCs can
continue their critical work of providing care for patients in
our rural communities.
[Congressman Darin LaHood]
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