News
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House of Representatives Passes Massive Spending Bill with Major Medicare and Medicaid Reforms
5/22/2025
Sarah Hohman, Director of Government Affairs, NARHC & Mo Sullivan, Government Affairs Associate, NARHC
Early this morning, the House of Representatives narrowly passed a massive tax and spending bill by a vote of 215-214. The bill now advances to the Senate for a vote, where it requires only a simple majority to pass under the reconciliation process. Every House Democrat voted against the bill, along with Republican Representatives Warren Davidson of Ohio and Thomas Massie of Kentucky.
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Medicaid Proposals Released and Set for Mark-Up This Week
5/12/2025
Sarah Hohman, Director of Government Affairs, NARHC
Late Sunday night the Energy and Commerce Committee released their proposed bill text aiming to achieve their directive to find $880 billion worth of savings within their jurisdiction. Most notably in their purview of the Medicaid program, the proposal would: Cap provider taxes Institute work requirements for many adults Increase eligibility checks on Medicaid beneficiaries
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Make Your Voice Heard – Medicare Deregulation Request for Information
4/30/2025 3:00:00 PM
Sarah Hohman, Director of Government Affairs, NARHC
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking responses on possible changes to Medicare regulations. This follows the Trump Administration’s Executive Order “Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation.”
Latest RHC News from Washington, DC
Congressman Valadao Visits Sequoia Family Medical Center; House Passes Budget Resolution Teeing Up Medicaid Fight
4/14/2025
Mo Sullivan, Government Affairs Associate, NARHC
Last month, the Sequoia Family Medical Center (SFMC) welcomed Representative David Valadao to tour their RHC and meet with staff! During his visit, SFMC staff sat down with Rep. Valadao to discuss current RHC federal policy priorities and to highlight the essential care that RHCs provide to their communities.
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Medicare Advantage Reimbursement Remains Top Challenge for RHCs
3/24/2025
Mo Sullivan, Government Affairs Associate, NARHC
Medicare Advantage (MA) reimbursement and MA administrative challenges are the two largest concerns for Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), according to NARHC’s 2025 Policy Survey. In a troubling trend, this year's survey revealed that more than half of RHCs receive less reimbursement from MA plans than from Traditional Medicare.
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Medical Telehealth Flexibilities Extended Through September 30
3/20/2025
Mo Sullivan, Government Affairs Associate, NARHC
Just hours before a government shutdown was set to take effect last weekend, the Senate passed a seven-month Continuing Resolution (CR) on Friday evening (passed by the House earlier in the week), ensuring federal funding through the end of the fiscal year on September 30.
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Current Medicare Telehealth Flexibilities Set to Expire on March 31 Without Congressional Action
2/24/2025
Congress is once again quickly approaching a telehealth cliff. Without passing additional legislation, current medical Medicare telehealth flexibilities will expire on March 31.
Meet the 2025 Bill Finerfrock Health Policy Fellow!
2/7/2025
NARHC is thrilled to announce Liberty Pertiwi, MHA as the 2025 Bill Finerfrock Health Policy Fellow! Liberty serves as the Director of Primary Care Services – Linn County with Samaritan Health Services in Corvallis, Oregon with over a decade of experience serving in policy and healthcare administration roles.
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NARHC’s 2025 RHC Policy Survey is Live: Your Response is Critical for the Future of the RHC Program!
1/14/2025
As we transition to a new Congress and Administration, it is crucial for NARHC to prioritize advocacy efforts and policy changes that matter most to RHCs.
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Congress Passes Short Term Funding Package with 3 Month Telehealth Extension
12/23/2024
Sarah Hohman, Director of Government Affairs, NARHC
After a very tumultuous week here in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, Congress passed a short-term Continuing Resolution (CR), funding the federal government until March 14 and narrowly preventing a shutdown.
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Call to Action - Telehealth Extension in Jeopardy
12/19/2024
Sarah Hohman, Director of Government Affairs, NARHC
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Congress Proposes Fix to RHC Telehealth Policy in End of Year Funding Deal
12/18/2024
Sarah Hohman, Director of Government Affairs, NARHC
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CMS Issues Change Request to Allow Category II Codes to Be Submitted on RHC Claims in 2025
11/5/2024
NARHC has been engaging with CMS over the last year in an attempt to resolve the CPT Category II code issue for RHCs, including through a letter to the CMS Administrator. We are very pleased to report that CMS recently issued a CMS Change Request to allow Category II codes to be submitted on RHC claims beginning April 7, 2025.
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Rural Health Clinics Secure Major Regulatory Wins in Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule
11/4/2024
NARHC Washington, D.C.
On November 1, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the CY 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) Final Rule. NARHC is very pleased to report that the rule finalizes several Rural Health Clinic (RHC) specific policy proposals, as well as other provisions with positive implications for the RHC community
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2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Released!
11/1/2024
NARHC Washington DC
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) just issued the CY 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) Final Rule.
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Upcoming November 2nd Deadline for RHCs: Section 1557 Nondiscrimination Rule
10/23/2024
Shriya Velichala, NARHC Intern
Earlier this year, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Office of Civil Rights (OCR), released the Nondiscrimination in Health Programs and Activities final rule, regarding Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
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Telehealth Awareness Week - Make Your Voice Heard
9/16/2024
The American Telemedicine Association is celebrating the week of September 16th as “Telehealth Awareness Week.” NARHC is pleased to add its voice to the important discussion about how telehealth is used by the over 5,500 Rural Health Clinics nationwide and raise awareness about ways to improve it for our safety net providers.
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Comments Due Monday, September 9th on the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule
Make your voice heard on the many provisions impacting RHCs!
9/5/2024
In early July, CMS published the 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule, containing numerous provisions with significant impacts for RHCs.
FTC Noncompete Ban Blocked
Ban will no longer take effect September 4, 2024
8/21/2024
On August 20, a federal judge blocked the Non-Compete Clause rule, citing a lack of authority of the FTC to enact the ban. Therefore, this ban is on hold, and will not go into effect September 4th.
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