Protecting Your Health Care

It is crucial we ensure our rural health care systems have the freedom they need to provide the highest quality of care possible for their patients, now more than ever. The implementation of a detrimental government regulation, the Medicaid Fiscal Accountability Rule (MFAR), would have cost our state nearly $11 billion and resulted in a reduction of patient services, causing rural facilities to close their doors.

To prevent these catastrophic consequences and protect our hospitals, I worked alongside providers in TX-25 and across our state to introduce the MFARTransparency Act that would delay the rule going into effect. Thanks to this combined effort, the Trump administration announced this week they would withdraw the MFAR after taking into consideration the consequences it would have on rural facilities. I'm proud to have championed this effort for Texans and will always stand with the providers who know their patients best.

Take a look below at support from across Texas:

Anson General Hospital (Anson, TX)
"Thank you to Congressman Williams and Congressman Burgess and the entire Texas Congressional delegation for leading on the effort for a withdrawal of the proposed MFAR Rule. If it had been implemented, it would have had significant damage to rural hospitals. Just being proposed has made it difficult to impossible to responsibly plan for proper patient care," said Nathan Staggs, CEO at Anson General Hospital.

Goodall-Witcher Healthcare
"We at Goodall-Witcher Healthcare appreciate the efforts of Representative Williams and others to bring attention to the detrimental impact that would occur as a result of this proposed regulation. We also appreciate the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for listening and being willing to admit this was a bad idea. It would have financially harmed our hospital and so many others," said Adam Willmann, President and CEO of Goodall-Witcher Healthcare.

Austin Chamber of Commerce
"During this precarious time, it is vital our state retains its ability to adequately fund our community's health care needs. Retaining the MFAR rule would have been detrimental to our businesses and the taxpayers they employ. We are grateful our federal leaders have made a decision that is in the best interest of our region's hospitals at a time when so many individuals are relying on them," said Dana Harris, VP, Federal/State Advocacy for the Austin Chamber of Commerce.

During COVID-19, I'm proud to have delivered hundreds of millions of dollars for rural health care and services across Texas, and I will continue fighting on behalf of families to give relief where needed.

PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

This year, an estimated 191,930 men in our nation will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. During National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, I want to encourage men in TX-25 to talk with your health care provider and consider participating in regular screenings.

As a survivor of this disease thanks to early detection, I know firsthand the challenges families face when they decide which testing, treatments and coverage options are right for them. That's why I proudly support legislation like the Pre-Existing Conditions Protection Act to ensure those with pre-existing conditions have access to affordable care.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among American men, but the good news is that as innovation and technology continues to evolve, fewer men are dying after their diagnosis. I am committed to helping win the fight against cancer, and together, we can beat this disease.

In God we trust,

Roger Williams

Member of Congress