Delta Health, State Rep. Soper, and Rep. Boebert Secure Victory for Rural Healthcare
Rep. Lauren Boebert, State Rep. Soper and other stakeholders successfully worked together with Delta Health to secure Sole Community Hospital Provider Status, a major milestone for the hospital and Delta County.
Congresswoman Lauren Boebert said, “Joining Colorado State Rep. Matt Soper, Governor Polis, Senators Hickenlooper and Bennet, and other local stakeholders in supporting Delta Health’s application to become a Sole Community Hospital was a no brainer. Working together in a bipartisan manner, we were able to deliver a significant victory for rural healthcare in Colorado. I would also like to give a special thank you to Rep. Soper who brought this issue to my attention and for leading the charge after the initial application was rejected. This important new status will increase care and access to important services in rural America and Delta County.”
Jean Ceriani, Delta Health Board of Directors Chair, said, “We just want to thank Governor Jared Polis’ office, Senators Michael Bennet, John Hickenlooper, and Congresswoman Lauren Boebert, and our state representative and fellow board member, Matt Soper for their support. Without their help, insight and advocacy for rural health, we could not have done this.”
Member of the Delta Health Board of Directors and Colorado State Rep. Matt Soper stated, “I’m ecstatic to hear the great news that CMS recognizes the tremendous importance of Delta Health to the people of Delta County by awarding us the status of Sole Community Hospital! I also want to thank the Board and hospital administration for joining me in not giving up on pursuing this status. Today is a big win for Delta, but we aren’t out of the woods yet.”
Matt Heyn, President and CEO of Delta Health, said, “This is a huge first step forward for Delta Health’s ability to continue to survive as a small, independent rural hospital.”
Rep. Boebert Meets with Member of the Delta Health Board of Directors and Colorado State Rep. Matt Soper and Delta Health President and CEO Matt Heyn.
Background:
In December, Rep. Boebert met with Colorado State Rep. Matt Soper and Delta Health President and CEO Matt Heyn to offer her support for Delta Health being awarded Sole Community Hospital Provider Status. In their meeting, they also discussed other strategies to ensure that rural healthcare is accessible and affordable.
Securing Sole Community Hospital Provider Status will enable Delta Health to increase its Medicare reimbursement rate and also receive access to the 340b drug program to stabilize drug prices. These additional resources will help ensure that Delta Health can remain independent, and they will also enable Delta Health to improve its programs to better serve the local community.
Delta Health’s first application for Sole Community Hospital Provider Status was denied by CMS. After Delta Health secured support from Rep. Boebert and other stakeholders and resubmitted, its application was approved on March 28, 2022.