Conrad, Rural State Health Leaders Meet to Save Frontier Amendment

Press Release

ND Doctors, Hospital Administrators Appeal to Congress to Save Conrad-Authored Frontier Legislation

As efforts to repeal the Frontier Amendment continue, Senator Kent Conrad today continued to fight to protect the landmark legislation that helps ensure North Dakotans receive the most effective and efficient health care possible. Today, the Senator met with hospital administrators and doctors from North Dakota and several other rural states who are in Washington this week to show support for the Frontier Amendment.

"The health care professionals in North Dakota and other rural states know exactly what's at stake right now," said Senator Conrad, a co-author of the Frontier Amendment, legislation that provides more equitable Medicare reimbursement rates for rural states. "For years, Senator Dorgan, Congressman Pomeroy and I fought to help ensure North Dakota's health providers received a fair shake. And I'm going to do everything in my power to make certain the Frontier Amendment remains the law of the land."

After winning a hard-fought battle to insert the Frontier Amendment into 2009's Affordable Care Act, Senator Conrad said it was disappointing to see Republicans in the House of Representatives and officials in the Administration attempt to undo the law.

Senator Conrad has spoken with White House officials as well as leadership in both parties and written to the Congressional Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction arguing the necessity of the Frontier Amendment as it's currently constructed.

Health professionals from North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana and Wyoming -- the states benefitting most from the legislation - have descended on the nation's capitol to stress how equitable Medicare reimbursement is critical to maintaining and improving care for individuals.

"We appreciate Senator Conrad's continued support of the Frontier States amendment. He has sent a clear message to the Congressional "Super Committee' that the Frontier States amendment is critical to the health care infrastructure in North Dakota. Our state's hospitals and doctors stand shoulder to shoulder with Senator Conrad in this effort," said Tim Blasl, Vice President of the North Dakota Hospital Association.

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