The state's decision to raise Medicaid reimbursement rates for Astria Toppenish Hospital comes too late to save Astria’s Family Maternity Center, but it’s still welcome news.
Under a bill signed into law May 11 by Gov. Jay Inslee, the state will begin reimbursing inpatient visits by Medicaid patients at 120%, while reimbursing outpatient visits at 200%. Meantime, the state’s giving Astria $4 million in distressed hospital funding to help cover the nonprofit’s costs until the higher rates take effect this July.