Site-Neutral Proponents Float Rural Exemption As Hospitals Flag Risks

New talk about potentially ameliorating the hit to rural hospitals by adding rural exemptions to controversial site-neutral hospital policies is adding a wrinkle to the ongoing negotiations process. The hospital lobby is continuing its stern opposition to all site-neutral provisions, but some experts said the reforms are proving popular among voters, especially if an exception for rural hospitals is worked into the current provisions. Rural health lobbyists said they’d support such a tweak. Stakeholders and congressional staffers remain unclear about...