(Spirit Lake)– The Chief Financial Officer of Lakes Regional Healthcare is weighing in on the Medicare Prescription Drug Bill making its way through the U-S House and Senate.
Gordon Larson says everyone wants a prescription drug bill, but many details still need to be addressed, including cost. Larson says he learned Monday cost estimates on both versions of the bill surpass the amount of money that was approved.
Larson says he likes several provisions in the bill, including one that would provide more money for home health services. Another would provide a break in the ambulance fee schedule; and he feels provisions for the establishment of critical care and essential rural hospitals are also positive.
On the downside, Larson is concerned over what the utilization would be under any new bill; and he says whatever is passed needs to be affordable and sustainable over time.
Larson updated the L-R-H Board of Trustees on the status of the bill at their meeting Monday evening.
