News

June 25, 2008

Bill would increase money to hospitals

The Times Leader staff

WASHINGTON – Higher Medicare reimbursements for 11 area hospitals are included in H.R. 6331, the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008, which passed in the House on Tuesday by a vote of 355-59, it was announced by U.S. Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski, D-Nanticoke. The measure is headed to the Senate.

The bill extends Section 508 of the Medicare Modernization Act until Sept. 30, 2009. The regional hospitals would continue to receive these Medicare reimbursements totaling more than $42 million, including almost $34 million for the eight hospitals in the state’s 11th Congressional District.

Hospitals scheduled to receive the funding if the bill becomes law are Wyoming Valley Healthcare System, $9.3 million; Mercy Hospital, $6.4 million; Community Medical Center, $5.5 million; Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre, $3.75 million; Moses Taylor, $3.4 million; Geisinger Wyoming Valley, $3.4 million; Berwick Hospital, $1.2 million; Bloomsburg Hospital, $875,000.

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