Sen. Jerry Moran convenes town hall with hospital leaders

Kansas hospitals appreciated the invitation from U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) to join a virtual town hall earlier this month to discuss the Budget Reconciliation Bill. The U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, was signed by President Donald Trump.

More than 100 hospital leaders were able to join the virtual town hall. Sen. Moran (pictured above in a file photograph) was able to highlight several challenges in the original Senate version of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that were mitigated. Kansas hospitals on the call were able to ask questions, share concerns and thank the senator for his leadership and advocating for Kansas and Kansas hospitals.

Specific issues discussed included how the bill maintains language grandfathering Kansas’ provider assessment and state directed payment rates, including language protecting the enhanced support for Critical Access Hospitals and Rural Emergency Hospitals approved by the Kansas legislature earlier this year. Sen Moran highlighted the Rural Health Transformation Fund. This fund was increased to $50 billion ($10 billion per year for five years). He also discussed delaying the wind down of the Medicaid state directed payments for an additional year which will be a benefit to Kansas hospitals.

Kansas hospital officials voiced appreciation of Sen. Moran’s work to ensure hospitals will continue to be eligible to receive up to $5 billion in additional Medicaid payments over the next 10 years through the Kansas provider assessment and state directed payment programs. This funding was in jeopardy with the original Senate language in the bill. Kansas will now be able to proceed with the provider assessment that was approved by the Kansas legislature earlier this year.

At the conclusion of the town hall, Sen. Moran discussed his commitment to continue supporting Kansas hospitals, including efforts on the 340B Program and Medicare Advantage.

Moving forward, it remains important for Kansas hospitals to continue to work with our congressional delegation to address any concerns with Medicaid, Medicare and other health care policies to ensure access to care for all Kansans.

The Kansas Hospital Association is a voluntary, non-profit organization existing to be the leading advocate and resource for members. KHA membership includes 242 member facilities, of which 124 are full-service, community hospitals. Founded in 1910, KHA’s vision is: “Optimal Health for Kansans and Kansas Hospitals.”