Beaman named to health committees

JACKSBORO – Faith Community Health System CEO Frank L. Beaman has been appointed to serve on the Hospital Payment Advisory Committee and its subcommittee, the Rural Hospital Advisory Committee, as a member representing Rural Hospital Administrators.

“I am honored to participate in such an important advisory committee and to represent the voice of rural healthcare,” says Beaman. “I am aware of the importance of being able to represent those living in rural Texas and the power of having a voice in the discussion. I am confident my expertise, experience, and personal perspective will be an asset.”

The committee’s purpose is to advise the Medical Care Advisory Committee and the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) on hospital reimbursement matters, including inpatient and outpatient hospital payment rates, other Medicaid supplemental payment programs, and adjustments to disproportionate share hospitals. The committee advises HHSC to ensure reasonable, sufficient, and equitable payments to hospital providers and address rural hospitals' essential role.

Rural hospitals in Texas and across the United States have long faced challenges, but even more so over the past decade. Hospitals in rural communities continue to struggle with low patient volumes, economic fluctuations, decreased reimbursements and, increased regulatory burden.

Texas leads the nation in rural hospital closures, with 26 having closed permanently since 2010.

According to the Texas Organization of Rural and Community Hospitals, the upswing in Texas closures in the last decade is primarily driven by $50 million a year in Medicare cuts to Texas rural hospitals starting in 2013 (sequestration, loss of outpatients, Affordable Care Act penalties) as well as more than $80 million a year underpayment by Texas Medicaid.

“Hospitals are the cornerstone of care for many communities and sometimes the only source of healthcare for miles,” Beaman explains. “Strengthening the financial viability of rural hospitals and getting a fair reimbursement for care is not only the right thing but an essential thing to do.