Bipartisan Bill Would Permanently Fund, Expand Medicare FLEX Program

The Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility (FLEX) program, which gives states grants to support critical access hospitals, would be permanently reauthorized, expanded and made more flexible under a bipartisan, bicameral bill unveiled this week in recognition of Rural Health Day on Thursday (Nov. 21). The current FLEX program funding cycle ends in 2028, but the proposed Rural Hospital Flexibility Act of 2024 would grant the program permanent reauthorization for each fiscal year moving forward. The bill would expand eligibility for FLEX...