A U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory committee recently determined that phenylephrine, an ingredient commonly used to treat sinus and nasal congestion, is ineffective in treating these symptoms. This was apparent from research for years, yet large...
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Rubio Habla en La Poderosa
El senador estadounidense Marco Rubio (R-FL) habló con César Grajales de La Poderosa 670 AM en El Panorama Político, sobre la crisis fronteriza, sobre cómo los hispanoamericanos se ven afectados con la realidad del país, sobre los cargos contra el senador Bob Menéndez...
Rubio, Colleagues Reintroduce Bill to Protect Rights of Pregnant Students
Pregnant students are sometimes discriminated against by their schools, either intentionally or unintentionally and there is a concerning lack of awareness about the resources and rights available to them. Due to a lack of services and discrimination, these women may...
Rubio, Colleagues Reintroduce Intelligence Community Workforce Agility Protection Act
Currently, intelligence community civilians are subject to certain tax penalties for job-related relocation requirements, but active-duty military servicemembers are not subjected to the same penalties. These tax benefits, including the ability to deduct moving...
Rubio Delivers Remarks at Senate Intelligence Hearing
Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Marco Rubio (R-FL) delivered opening remarks and questioned witnesses at a hearing on countering China’s influence in the United States. Watch Rubio’s opening remarks here as well as Part I and Part II of...
Rubio-led Resolution to Raise Awareness for Spinal Cord Injuries Passes Senate
Approximately 302,000 Americans live with spinal cord injuries. To help these people achieve a better quality of life, there is a need to increase education and invest in research. U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) successfully led a bipartisan...
Rubio Introduces Bill Reforming Medicare Appeals Process Burdening Florida Hospitals
Washington, D.C. —U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) today introduced legislation that would end a provision of the Affordable Care Act that prohibits hospitals from contesting Medicare Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) payments once the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has rendered a decision, even if CMS makes an error. The legislation would reverse this policy to allow administrative reviews of the hospital payments. This legislation is cosponsored by Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Bill Nelson (D-FL).
In 2017, Tampa General Hospital (TGH) faced the possibility of losing nearly $2 million in federal funding because of a CMS error. After Rubio’s intervention, TGH was able to recover the full amount that was inappropriately withheld by Medicare, but this intervention does not help all impacted hospitals. Florida is home to 130 hospitals operating under the DSH system, several of which face similar issues.
“Tampa General Hospital almost lost $2 million because of a bureaucratic technicality,” said Rubio. “I am proud to introduce this legislation that will sunset this burdensome Obamacare provision. I remain committed to eliminating these hurdles for Florida hospitals to ensure Medicare patients have access to their local hospitals. Tampa General is a leading medical institution in the region and I look forward to seeing their continued progress in improving lives for Floridians, Americans, and people from around the world.”
“Ensuring that people have access to a hospital when they get sick has always been a top priority,” said Nelson. “And this bill will help hospitals that serve a larger share of low-income people appeal unjust administrative decisions.”
“Senator Marco Rubio and Senator Bill Nelson today introduced legislation that will restore transparency, fairness, and due process for Tampa General Hospital and all of Florida’s safety net hospitals, allowing us to challenge major errors made by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) when they occur,” said TGH President John Couris. “Ultimately, this legislation will translate into better quality health care for all Florida citizens.
“Senator Rubio and Senator Nelson continue to provide responsive and unwavering leadership in support of Florida’s safety net hospitals. Their dedication helps make it possible for TGH to continue providing the highest level of quality health care in the Tampa Bay region.
“We want to thank both Senators for again standing up for Florida’s safety net hospitals and the people we serve.”