--classification brings more Medicare funds

Iroquois Memorial Hospital in Watseka has been approved for “Critical Access Hospital” status by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The designation, announced Tuesday, pays rural hospitals a higher Medicare reimbursement rate and helps stabilize the borrom line.

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin delivered the good news to hospital officials and local community leaders.

“So many rural hospitals are hurting. They’re having difficulty attracting doctors, nurses and medical professionals. Many hospitals are just hanging on,” Durbin said.
“Help is needed. IMH isn’t the only such facility in this situation,”: Durbin adds.

.The rural hospitals should be able to provide more services for the people in their areas.

On break from duties in Washington, D.C., Durbin has been touring hospitals across the state.He said it’s tough for these rural hospitals deal with rising medical costs.
Hospital Presidnt/CEO Mike Tilstra said “we see so many patients in ER with barely enough time and we have to find ways to get them to a Level 1 trauma center, some 50 or more miles away.

Durbin said now, the hospital will be able to bring back the services it has lost over the years.

94.1 WGFA