Bill increasing support to Astria Toppenish to take effect July 2024

SB 5532 passed with a unanimous vote in the House and senate, with a 48-0 vote in the Senate and a 98-0 vote in the House.

Rural hospitals report unique operating challenges due to their location, with a large portion of their revenue derived from publicly funded health care programs such as Medicaid and Medicare.

SB 5532 would increase the payments made to ATH, with reimbursement rates being raised by 120% of the current inpatient rate and 200% of the current outpatient rate.

“Our goal is, and has always been, to achieve health equity in our community. What that means, is that everyone in our community should have the same fair and just opportunity to achieve their highest level of health.” ATH’s Administrator, Cathy Bambrick said.

ATH’s currents patient base averages 67% of Medicaid patients, SB 5532 is expected to positively impact the financial stability at the Toppenish Hospital due to the increased reimbursement rates.

“Loss of financial resources diminishes healthcare provider’s ability to offer quality care. Working in partnership with legislature, we have successfully protected vital medical services for Astria Toppenish Hospital as part of our efforts to achieve health equity in the community. Since 2021, we have worked diligently on the passage of a bill such as this, and its passage will aid in stabilizing ATH’s existing programs and services,” Astria Health CEO, Brian Gibbons stated. “The stability created with the changes in Medicaid reimbursement rates for ATH means that we can further pursue health equity in the parts of the community that are most at risk.”

ATH can expect to see an increase in their reimbursement rates beginning July of 2024. Due to the extended amount of time until ATH would start to receive the enhanced reimbursements, Washington State Legislation also awarded ATH a grant of 4 million dollars in distressed hospital funding to serve as a financial bridge supporting continued operations in the interim.