Wyoming Democrats tout provision of health care bill

(Wyoming Public Radio)

By Renny MacKay (2010-03-23), http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wpr/news.newsmain/article/1/0/1627509/WPR..News./Wyoming.Democrats.tout.provision.of.health.care.bill.

LARAMIE, WY (WPR) - The Wyoming Democratic Party is pointing out one aspect of the newly signed health care bill that it says will benefit Wyoming. The Democratic Party's Brianna Jones says what is called the "frontier provision" will bring extra money to doctors and hospitals.... because it will increase reimbursements for treating Medicare patients. Jones says that is especially important for rural health care providers.

"Rural areas have a different set of needs and this addresses one of those specific sets of needs that they're having trouble meeting the demands because of a wider area that they are required to serve. So by offering them higher Medicare payments we will be able to assist them in serving the people of Wyoming better."

The first payment increases for hospitals would go into effect in October. Doctors and hospitals would see more increases beginning in January. This provision would only apply in the most rural states.

Jones says this is not an effort to sell Wyoming people on the health care bill.
"At this point I think people are going to begin realizing there are some really positive aspects in this bill and they're really going to help people. I don't think it is per se my job to sell it because it is going to be evident."