Medicare Cuts for Doctors, Hospitals; GOP Govs’ Opposition to Long-Term Care Staffing Requirements & More

CMS Cutting Payments to Doctors, Hospitals

Doctors will see a 1.25% reduction in Medicare reimbursements next year due to a final rule issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Some hospitals are also facing $7.8 billion in CMS cuts over 16 years to reimburse safety-net hospitals hit by previous cuts to a discount drug purchasing program struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court. (KFF HEALTH NEWS, MODERN HEALTHCARE, AXIOS)

GOP Govs Object to Proposed Long-Term Care Staffing Requirements

The Republican governors of 15 states sent a letter to President Biden asking his administration to reconsider its proposed nurse staffing requirements for long-term care facilities. The regulations, proposed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in early September and widely opposed by the long-term care industry, would require nursing homes participating in Medicare and Medicaid to provide at least 0.55 hours of care from a registered nurse per resident per day and 2.45 hours of care from a nurse aid per resident per day, as well as always have at least one registered nurse on site. (OMAHA WORLD-HERALD, KIMT)

Congressional Panel Recommends Ways to Reduce Ambulance Costs

A committee formed by Congress to explore ways to reduce costs and improve patient billing for ambulance services recommended banning surprise bills, limiting patient cost-sharing and making bills easier to understand. The committee will deliver a report on its recommendations to Congress early next year. (PBS NEWS HOUR)

—Compiled by SNCJ Managing Editor KOREY CLARK