Missouri Hospital Association Lobbies for Increased Medicare Funding Levels

The Missouri Hospital Association, which represents hospitals, is lobbying for favorable legislative action regarding increased Medicare funding levels for hospitals in Missouri. The association argues that Medicare and Medicare Advantage account for roughly 45 percent of the payer mix for Missouri hospitals. MHA reports that the programs currently face hundreds of millions of dollars in unreimbursed costs.

MHA contends that the programs already dominate the revenue streams for many hospitals. The association argues that Congress and the General Assembly must provide more public money because the existing rates are said to underpay for the care delivered.