WASHINGTON, DC- Only a few months after it was introduced, a bill sponsored by Congressman Paul E. Gillmor (R- Old Fort) has been signed into law. Gillmor 's bill to save states and Children's Hospitals in America millions of dollars was included as an amendment to the Deficit Reduction Act which President Bush signed into law today. Gillmor 's amendment creates a savings to Children's Hospitals and states which provide outpatient services to low-income children through Medicaid.
"I was very pleased to see this bill become law in such a short time," Gillmor said. "My amendment corrects a glitch in federal law which had excluded our Children's Hospitals and Ohio 's Medicaid system from millions of dollars in savings every year. The law required that a discount be applied for services provided under Medicare, the federal program providing services for Americans over 65 years of age. However, our priceless Children's Hospitals obviously provide services to children, not seniors," Gillmor said.
"As a result of this amendment, the approximately 75 Children's Hospitals across the United States and 6 in Ohio , may see average annual savings of more than $2 million each. This amount is equivalent to hiring 32 more full time employees in each hospital. In addition, state Medicaid systems will benefit from nearly $300,000 in annual savings per hospital in the state. These savings will help keep outpatient care affordable and allow our Children's Hospitals to continue providing their invaluable services to Ohio 's 3 million children. Most importantly, these savings can be provided to the hospitals and the state, without any cost to the government, and without risking patient care," Gillmor said.
The Ohio 's Children Hospital Association, representing hospitals in Akron , Cincinnati , Cleveland , Columbus , Dayton and Toledo , said that these changes will allow the hospitals to "channel those savings into high priority areas." The Association called Gillmor a "dedicated champion for key children's hospital priorities." The National Association of Children's Hospitals also expressed their "enthusiastic appreciation" for Gillmor 's "leadership in introducing HR 4036".
"A lot has been said about the measures in the Deficit Reduction Act which will impact Medicaid and Student Loans. But there has been little attention about measures such as this amendment providing millions to Children's Hospitals. In the past month, I have been traveling throughout my district and I know that improving care and reducing the cost of healthcare through initiatives such as my amendment are consistent with the will of my constituents," Gillmor concluded.
