Ways to aid hospitals' conservation eyed by feds
A Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and DOE effort to develop financial incentives for energy conservation at hospitals is focusing on changing Medicare-Medicaid reimbursement programs, which currently fail to reimburse for capital expenses. If the agencies determine that a disincentive exists, their recommendations will emphasize the use of market forces to accomplish conservation efforts. At $2.5 billion a year, energy costs are hospitals' fastest rising operating cost, and current reimbursement arrangements are counter-productive. The agencies are considering several schemes, such as shortening depreciation schedules, rewarding conservation, helping to attract private capital, and allowing hospitals and insurers to share the savings. (DCK)
- OSTI ID:
- 5081751
- Journal Information:
- Energy User News; (United States), Vol. 7:27
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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