Thomas Foley: “It is almost comical on the floor for people who claim they have never seen this bill, they know every aspect of it and…”

“It is almost comical on the floor for people who claim they have never seen this bill, they know every aspect of it and can criticize it with great flourish and abundance. We just heard about the rural health care network, and I absolutely represent a lot of rural communities. Mr. Speaker, $30 billion additionally to fund rural health. Standardized amount for payments. A labor share to help with the labor index in rural communities. The disproportionate share program is increased in our bill. Low-volume hospitals receive additional payments based on their discharges. Critical-access hospitals have additional benefits. A wage index. Graduate medical education programs. Sole-community hospitals qualify based on some data. These are all incorporated in this new Medicare reform proposal that will benefit constituents in the gentlewoman from California's district. Bonus payments for physician, an increased 5 percent add-on if you are in the rural component. Clinics pay separately for professional services. Rural health care clinics, federally qualified. Low-volume rural ambulance, targets higher payments for ambulances in rural communities. Home health care adds an additional 5 percent. So these are all funded by our program, including community health centers.”