Barr Hosts CMS Administrator Oz in Lexington, Oz Confirms Rural Hospitals are Eligible for RHTP funds

Lexington, KY — Today, U.S. Congressman Andy Barr welcomed Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz to Kentucky to meet with doctors and medical providers in Lexington. Prior to the meeting with physicians, Administrator Oz confirmed that Kentucky rural hospitals are eligible to receive funding through the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding. Governor Andy Beshear falsely claimed that rural hospitals were ineligible to receive funding from the RHTP program administered by CMS. Congressman Barr challenged Beshear to start using this money to rural hospitals in a letter on August 25. Barr also pointed to CMS guidance and states including Oregon, Georgia, and Minnesota that are directing Rural Health Transformation dollars toward rural hospitals. “Let me be clear: Kentucky can use Rural Health Transformation Program funding to support its rural hospitals,” said CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz . “CMS guidance allows states to partner with hospitals and other health care providers and direct these resources toward strengthening rural care. I urge the Governor to focus his energy on putting these resources to work for the people of Kentucky.” “Administrator Oz’s visit should put this debate to rest, Kentucky can and should be using RHTP money for rural hospitals,” said Congressman Barr. “Rural hospitals are eligible. Now, Governor Beshear needs to establish a transparent process that gives our rural hospitals the opportunity to compete for these funds and get to work.” Congressional Republicans created the 5-year $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program to invest in rural health care across America. Kentucky received $212.9 million for the first year of the program. Barr has also worked with the Kentucky Hospital Association to strengthen rural hospitals, including helping preserve state-directed payments that resulted in an additional $5.2 billion for Kentucky rural hospitals. ###