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Rep. Loebsack Writes 2nd Hospital Letter

Congressman Dave Loebsack (D-IA2) is once again pushing for the Obama Administration to help Keokuk Area Hospital with its financial challenges.

He has written a second letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.  In it, he requests she examine every possible option.

Rep. Loebsack mentions how Keokuk Area Hospital is appealing the recent denials of its requests to be considered a Critical Access Hospital or a Medicare Dependent Hospital.

A Critical Access Hospital is a rural hospital with fewer than 25 beds that is at least 35 miles from the next closest facility. 

A Medicare Dependent Hospital is a rural hospital where Medicare represents at least half of all inpatient revenue.

Rep. Loebsack wrote his first letter to Sec. Sebelius in early 2012.

Keokuk Area Hospital’s financial challenges are linked to a high number of indigent patients and a lower reimbursement rate for services.

Rep. Loebsack mentions several times in his letter that Keokuk Area Hospital could be forced to close its doors if a solution is not found.