Safety-Net Hospitals Appeal for More Targeted Covid-19 Funding

The nation’s struggling safety-net hospitals are cheering provider relief proposals in the recently passed House continuing resolution to fund the government. But they remain adamant that more direct funding is needed to successfully weather the pandemic.

Along with keeping the government operating through Dec. 11, H.R. 8337, would relax repayment terms for hospitals and other providers on Medicare advance payment loans. The bipartisan measure, which now awaits Senate action, would also delay a $4 billion cut in hospital uncompensated care payments.

Both provisions will benefit safety-net hospitals, which serve large numbers of uninsured and low-income Medicaid patients. But those ...