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Kansas Delegation Commends CMS for Allowing Rural KS Hospitals to Retain Critical Access Designation

WASHINGTON – The Kansas congressional delegation today released the following statements after the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) granted an exception to allow hospitals in Onaga and Wamego to retain the Critical Access Hospital designation. Jenkins was joined by Kansas Congressmen Jerry Moran, Todd Tiahrt and Dennis Moore urging CMS to grant this exception after the agency changed the Metropolitan Statistical Area classification of Manhattan to urban.

“This is a simple, common-sense fix to an issue that would put unnecessary hardships on these two rural hospitals,” Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins said. “At a time when rural communities are already faced with major challenges, any loss of health care would be devastating. The hospitals in Potawatomie County rely on the additional funding they receive due to the CAH designation, and I commend CMS for granting this very important exception.”

“Doctors in rural communities are more than physicians – they are a cornerstone of the community, providing guidance, support and stability for their neighbors,” Congressman Dennis Moore said. “With so many Americans already struggling without adequate access to stable health care, it was unreasonable to place such an undue burden on the Onaga and Wamego communities and I’m proud that our delegation was able to assist these hospitals in retaining their CAH designation.”

“During a July meeting I requested with Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, I ensured that she was aware of this important issue and that we were doing everything we could to help these hospitals and their patients,” Congressman Jerry Moran said. “I am very pleased that CMS has exercised its discretion to allow these hospitals to maintain their CAH status.”

“This is great news for Onaga and Wamego hospitals and residents,” said Congressman Todd Tiahrt. “It is vital that we maintain CAH designations for rural Kansas hospitals to help ensure they remain in operation to provide medical treatment for rural residents that would otherwise have to travel hours to receive care. I am very pleased with this decision and commend CMS for allowing Onaga and Wamego to keep their designation. However, more work must still be done to ensure that other rural Kansas hospitals can also preserve their designation. I will continue working with my colleagues and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services to make this a reality.”

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