Max Baucus supports North Valley Hospital's Critical Access status

I am writing to express my support for the continuation of North Valley Hospital's status as a Critical Access Hospital (CAH). Located in Whitefish, North Valley was designated a CAH through the 'necessary provider' provision of the Medicare law (Section 1820(c)(2)(B)(i) (II). I was proud to author the CAH legislation in 1997, which gives these hospitals special payment consideration and greater regulatory flexibility from Medicare, allowing them to continue providing care to rural, under-served areas. The 'necessary provider' section allows States to certify a facility as a Critical Access Hospital if the facility is determined to be a necessary provider of health care services in its area.

North Valley Hospital is in the process of building and relocating to an improved facility about one mile from its current location, and is seeking assurance that this move will not jeopardize its CAH status. As a Critical Access Hospital, North Valley provides trauma care, emergency services and hospital services to a wide swath of rural, northwestern Montana. To preserve access to these services, it is important that North Valley retain its CAH designation. The Montana Department of Health and Human Services (DPHHS), which granted North Valley its "necessary provider' status, has examined this location change. Montana DPHHS has determined that there is no reason the move should affect the North Valley's status as a necessary provider.

I urge you to allow North Valley to retain its status as a Critical Access Hospital, and invite you to contact Pat Bousliman at 202-224-4353 or my staff with any questions. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

U.S. Sen. Max Baucus