Press Releases

Washington, DC – Earlier today, as first reported by Missouri Times, Congressman Mark Alford (MO-04) sent a letter to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) concerning the review and reimbursement process for rural hospitals. Specifically, the letter said:

“The continued delay of these funds is unacceptable and poses a severe risk to the survival of our healthcare providers. I hope you agree that a government process should not force them to close their doors. We must work together to ensure there is adequate oversight of reimbursements balanced with reducing the undue burden on rural medical centers by accelerating the DOB review process.”  

Congressman Alford issued the following statement:

“Right now, hospitals all across Missouri are being financially pinched by Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) inability to turn around reimbursement requests. In some instances, hospitals have been waiting to get reimbursed for claims from last year and have no clue where the status of those claims stand. These funds are needed to operate. That’s exactly why I am demanding that FEMA expedite their review and disbursement process. Our hospitals are depending on it.”

Media inquiries for Rep. Alford should be directed to Austin Higginbotham at austin.higginbotham@mail.house.gov.