Under the new agreement, CMS will continue providing Medicare and Medicaid funding to the hospital while it resolves concerns over patient safety and quality of care. Last year, CMS notified St. Joseph it would terminate federal funding by Dec. 3.
Federal inquiry began in August following the shooting of a patient by two off-duty Houston Police Department officers providing hospital security. Federal officials identified subsequent concerns with security training, patient rights, nursing and infection control.
The loss of federal funding would likely have resulted in the closure of the hospital, according to the Houston Chronicle. More than 60 percent of St. Joseph’s patients rely on Medicare and Medicaid coverage.
CMS had previously given St. Joseph four extensions to correct deficiencies. The hospital has until Friday to decide an appropriate systems improvement agreement that is satisfactory to CMS.
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