Carthage Area Hospital Remains a Critical Access Hospital
Thanks to Senator Schumer and Congresswoman Stefanik
On November 1st, 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued final regulations redefining what is considered a “primary road,” for the purposes of Critical Access certification. Carthage Area Hospital (CAH) was at risk of losing millions in federal funding with the proposed regulation changes, which would have stripped the hospital of its Critical Access designation and the reimbursement funds that accompany it.
In July, Senator Charles Schumer and Congresswoman, Elise Stefanik announced that after years of fighting to protect the Critical Access status for Upstate NY Hospitals, federal officials had “heeded” their calls for change. Senator Schumer explained in a press release that the 2015 policy change did not go through the proper protocols required by law, leaving rural hospitals “vulnerable” costing them millions of dollars.
“Congresswoman Stefanik and Senator Schumer’s support was crucial in securing healthcare provided by Critical Access Hospitals in the North Country,” said Rich Duvall, CEO of Carthage Area Hospital.
The modification defines a primary road of travel for determining the driving distance of a Critical Access Hospital and its proximity to other providers as a numbered Federal highway, including interstates, intrastates, expressways or any other numbered Federal highway with two or more lanes each way; or a numbered State highway with two or more lanes each way.