This weekend on In Focus, we’re discussing a proposed Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) rule change to the Area Wage Index, impacting reimbursements to hospitals. U.S. Representative Paul Tonko joined JoDee Kenney to talk about what additional funding would mean for hospitals in his district, and throughout upstate New York. Tonko said recalculating the wage index from $0.85 on the dollar to $1.22 would provide $180 million to hospitals in the Capital Region alone. Other similar regions of the country, Tonko said, are receiving an accurate reimbursement rate and the rule change would give hospitals their fair share. Tonko said hospitals are operating under financial stress, leading to concerns over patient care and maintaining staffing. He hopes CMS moves forward with the rule change, that he sees as helping all of upstate. Tonko said hospital revenue was down during the pandemic, with surgeries and procedures delayed and many people avoiding seeking care altogether. The strain on the health care workforce, Tonko said, can also be alleviated with this recalculation.

You can watch the full interview with Rep. Paul Tonko in the video player above or on the Spectrum News App. And be sure to tune in for a look inside the biggest issues impacting upstate New York, on In Focus with JoDee Kenney — every Sunday on Spectrum News 1.