CBO Scores Rural Health Care Connectivity Act
Enacting the Rural Health Care Connectivity Act (S-1916) “would increase direct spending and revenues by $197 million and $215 million, respectively, resulting in a net reduction in the deficit of $18 million over that period" of 2017-2026, the Congressional Budget…
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Office estimated in a report released Friday. The Senate Commerce Committee approved the bill in November. The legislation would enable some skilled nursing facilities (SNF) to attain eligibility for USF Rural Health Care (RHC) program grants. “CBO estimates that an average of 1,650 public and nonprofit SNFs in rural areas would be eligible for grants during that period and that participation rates and grant awards would be similar to those for existing RHC programs,” the report said. “Based on information from the FCC, CBO estimates that participation rates would reach 75 percent over a period of several years and that certain non-rural entities affiliated with those participants also would receive funding. Grant awards would vary in size depending on the recipient’s location and choice of benefits.” CBO said the bill would up the cost of an existing mandate for telecom companies. “CBO expects that telecommunications companies would generally pass most of the cost of the fee increase on to consumers,” it said.