• More than 65% of the nation’s small, rural hospitals took out loans from Medicare when the pandemic hit. Many now face repayment at a time when they are under great financial strain.

• A full repayment of a hospital’s loan is technically due 120 days after it was received. If it is not paid, Medicare will stop reimbursing claims until it recoups the money it is owed.

• Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., has called for changes to the loan repayment period for months and said Monday “We are still in the middle of this crisis — from both health and economic standpoints”.

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September 22, 20205:00 AM ET