Federal lawmakers working to undo Methodist Hospitals funding cuts

Dan Carden

Legislation to restore funding for Northwest Indiana's Methodist Hospitals, and other safety-net hospitals, that was eliminated five years ago during the first term of Republican President Donald Trump has bipartisan support among Hoosier lawmakers at the U.S. Capitol.

U.S. Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., and U.S. Rep. Frank J. Mrvan, D-Highland, are among the sponsors of the " Save Our Safety-Net Hospitals Act " that would undo a recalculation of Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital funding that cost Indiana hospitals an estimated $140 million starting in 2021.

"Hospitals like Methodist, Schneck and Reid are struggling because of an unfair federal formula. This bill fixes that, and helps Indiana hospitals get their fair share of funding," Banks said.

Under the plan, the DS