Over a dozen Senate Democrats requested transparency from CMS regarding a $50 billion rural health fund aimed at supporting rural hospitals due to potential Medicaid cuts. Concerns arose about Republican lawmakers allegedly promising funds to secure votes for the reconciliation bill. Democrats emphasized the need for clarity on how this funding is allocated, as the application process for states remains vague. CMS is required to rule on state applications by year-end, and Democratic leaders are demanding urgent answers from Administrator Mehmet Oz by mid-August.
Republicans in Congress hastily developed the rural health slush fund to buy their members' votes and give their caucus political cover for voting for the reconciliation bill.
We are alarmed by reports suggesting these taxpayer funds are already promised to Republican members of Congress in exchange for their votes in support of the Big, Ugly Betrayal.
The law says $25 billion is to be distributed equally among all states that submit a detailed rural health transformation plan, but the details on what that application should look like are vague.
CMS must make a ruling on each state's application by the end of the year, and Schumer and Democrats are demanding answers by mid-August.
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