Rep. Fudge Circulating Letter Regarding Readmission Rate Reduction Program - July 17, 2012

Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-OH) is circulating a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius regarding a provision in the federal fiscal year 2013 inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) proposed rule. The rule proposes to tie readmission rates to hospital reimbursements under the hospital readmissions reduction program. Fudge is concerned that such a provision would adversely affect safety net providers due to the medical and social challenges unique to safety net patients, which lead to higher readmission rates. Fudge is looking for members of Congress to sign on to this letter by July 20, and we encourage NAPH members to reach out to their delegations and urge them to do so. For questions about signing on, please contact Fudge staff member Casey Miller at [email protected].