A coalition of hospitals in west Michigan, organized and led by our firm, helped the region avoid the loss of hundreds of millions of dollars in Medicare payments. The coalition successfully petitioned for an increase in Medicare payments that more accurately reflected the region's labor costs.
Over several years, our firm led the effort to secure multiple subsequent congressionally enacted extensions of the program. In addition to securing multiple extensions, Dave Zook and Nick Manetto helped develop proposals to reform the payment system. By the time the provision expired in late 2011, the provision, known as Section 508 relief prevented hospitals in west Michigan from losing more than $280 million in Medicare payments. The result allowed hospitals to expand and enhance care options for area patients while holding down costs.