/ en Sun, 15 Jun 2025 11:23:01 -0500 Sun, 08 Jun 25 18:00:41 -0500 <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><p>As we noted in our <a href="/advisory/2025-06-06-white-house-issues-presidential-memorandum-eliminating-waste-fraud-and-abuse-medicaid">June 6 Member Advisory</a>, the Administration is signaling it will make changes to State Directed Payment (SDP) programs used by managed care plans and how the payment rates for providers, including hospitals, are calculated. This change in regulatory policy could undermine legislative language in the reconciliation package passed by the House – H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act – on May 22. The Senate is currently reviewing H.R. 1, and draft text for the Senate Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction over taxes and Medicaid, could come as soon as this week. <strong>We understand there are efforts in the Senate to further restrict SDPs and provider taxes.</strong></p><p>The June 6 <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/06/eliminating-waste-fraud-and-abuse-in-medicaid/" target="_blank" title="The White House Presidential Actions: Eliminating Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in Medicaid">Presidential memorandum</a> outlines the Administration’s intent to ensure the Medicaid program does not pay providers through SDPs at rates which are higher than Medicare, though many states have in place payment levels that may exceed Medicare and are closer to average commercial rates (ACR). The House-passed reconciliation bill would allow for a grandfathering of existing rates, which reimburse providers above the Medicare payment level for Medicaid services, upon enactment of the legislation. It is important to note current law requires Medicaid payment for providers to be sufficient to ensure beneficiary access to services and SDPs are used to augment historically low Medicaid provider payments, including for critical community services such as maternal and behavioral health. Without supplemental payments, Medicaid fee-for-service payments in 2023 nationally paid 58 cents for every dollar that hospitals spent caring for Medicaid patients, and Medicaid managed care organizations paid 65 cents. In total, including supplemental payments, Medicaid paid hospitals $27.5 billion less than hospitals spent providing care to Medicaid beneficiaries.</p><p>The provider tax provisions in H.R. 1 disallow federal matching funds for state provider taxes that were increased (in amount or rate) after the date of enactment. This would significantly limit states’ ability to finance Medicaid using provider taxes, placing pressure on state budgets that would compound over time. Over time, the restrictions on this legitimate, vital funding tool will lead to diminished critical resources to support Medicaid beneficiaries. There are efforts in the Senate to further restrict the use of provider taxes, including by lowering the safe harbor threshold below 6% and fixing the annual revenue amount the tax currently raises into perpetuity.</p><p><span><strong>TAKE ACTION:</strong></span><strong> Please contact your senators and urge them to oppose any efforts to further weaken SDP and provider tax provisions as passed by the House. Changes under consideration by the Senate would deteriorate hospital Medicaid reimbursement rates and threaten access for all patients.</strong></p><h2>June 5 Action Alert, AHA Resources, and Upcoming Advocacy Day</h2><p>The AHA last week shared an Action Alert with new resources for hospital and health system leaders to use in conversations with their senators as they advocate for protecting Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act coverage gains, and access to health care and services in communities. <strong>Please see the </strong><a href="/action-alert/2025-06-05-act-now-ask-your-senators-protect-medicaid-and-access-care?utm_source=newsletter"><strong>June 5 Action Alert</strong></a><strong> for key messages and resources.</strong></p><p>In addition, if you haven’t registered yet, you can still make plans to join the AHA and hospital and health system leaders from across the country in Washington, D.C., June 17 for an AHA Advocacy Day. <a href="https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=QJMRube-Xk6EsjzBj3s2pnUzMzymJWtHjxrQd2BoFRpUNDNVUkdGWjYyRlJJTUNUVU8wWjVBNTRNWC4u&route=shorturl" target="_blank" title="AHA Advocacy Day Tuesday, June 17, 2025, Registration">Register today.</a></p><h2>Further Questions</h2><p>Visit the <a href="/advocacy/action-center">AHA Action Center</a> for more resources on these issues and other priorities important to hospitals and health systems. If you have further questions, please contact the AHA at 800-424-4301.</p></div><div class="col-md-4"><a href="/system/files/media/file/2025/06/ACT-NOW-Ask-Your-Senators-to-Protect-Medicaid-Payment-Rates-in-Reconciliation-Package.pdf"><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/ACT-NOW-Ask-Your-Senators-to-Protect-Medicaid-Payment-Rates-in-Reconciliation-Package-Page-1.png" data-entity-uuid="18ef82be-e2cf-4d13-b324-531a670bd428" data-entity-type="file" alt="Action Alert: ACT NOW: Ask Your Senators to Protect Medicaid Payment Rates in Reconciliation Package." width="695" height="900"></a></div></div></div> Sun, 08 Jun 2025 18:00:41 -0500 Action Alert <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><p>As the next step in the budget reconciliation process, the Senate is taking up the House-passed version of the budget reconciliation bill. Senate key committees, Senate leaders and others are considering changes to the House version. Within the House-passed legislation are <a href="/advisory/2025-05-22-aha-summary-one-big-beautiful-bill-acts-provisions-impacting-hospitals-and-health-systems">proposals</a> that could lead to more than 10.9 million people losing Medicaid coverage, according to the <a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femail.advocacy.aha.org%2FNzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGa4Ppq2GW5NgYfGhwWcTHupAVgY9HktOSAqCQdmwUtVnHjbrKjo7IccvAT_4oYd8eqGpD9b9k%3D&data=05%7C02%7Cbmirza%40aha.org%7C4682eb8b25c5407c3d5d08dda4785e2a%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638847559092782088%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=j%2BcYXOOXUihHMg0tPXhM8ZNSld5ujFX2wBiiVpbyH6Q%3D&reserved=0">Congressional Budget Office</a>.</p><p>Draft text for some committees is coming out this week, and draft text for the Senate Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction over taxes and Medicaid, could come as soon as next week. The chamber aims to have the bill ready for a vote on the Senate floor before the July 4 holiday.</p><p><strong>Don’t wait! As Senate committees draft legislative text this week, </strong><a href="/2020-10-07-get-involved"><strong>ask your senators</strong></a><strong> to protect Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act coverage gains and access to health care and services in your community.</strong> Share with your senators the impact of these proposals on your hospital’s ability to care for patients. It is critical that senators understand that the considerable changes to Medicaid cannot be implemented by the date of enactment, and additional time would be necessary for any financing or provider payment changes. It is also important that the Senate does not make additional harmful changes to provider tax rates and state-directed payments.</p><p><strong>Please urge your senators </strong><em><strong>to reject </strong></em><strong>detrimental policy changes that could reduce access to health care for millions of Americans — including their constituents.</strong> Other proposals under consideration would reduce consumers’ access to the Health Insurance Marketplace and put other care sites at risk, particularly in rural and medically underserved areas.</p><h2 class="text-align-center"><a href="/2020-10-07-get-involved"><span><strong>TAKE ACTION NOW</strong></span></a></h2><h3>Medicaid Resources</h3><p><strong>Explain that Medicaid is vital to your communities.</strong> Use the following AHA resources in your advocacy efforts and watch for new resources to be published soon.</p><ul><li><strong>NEW: Fact Sheets and Infographics.</strong> The AHA has developed a series of fact sheets and infographics to inform your advocacy efforts. These include <a href="/fact-sheets/2025-06-05-medicaid-spending-reductions-would-lead-losses-jobs-economic-activity-and-tax-revenue-states">a <strong>new resource showing statewide impacts</strong></a> of each $1 billion incremental reduction in Medicaid spending and how it would lead to job losses, lost economic activity and losses in state, federal and local tax revenue. In addition, see a <a href="/fact-sheets/2025-06-05-medicaid-coverage-supports-rural-patients-hospitals-and-communities"><strong>new fact sheet on how Medicaid supports rural</strong></a> patients, hospitals and communities. Visit the <a href="/advocacy/advocacy-issues/medicaid">Medicaid Advocacy Issue</a> page for more fact sheets and resources.</li><li><strong>June 17 AHA Advocacy Day.</strong> Join the AHA in Washington, D.C., to tell congressional leaders how these policy changes will affect your hospitals. <a href="https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=QJMRube-Xk6EsjzBj3s2pnUzMzymJWtHjxrQd2BoFRpUNDNVUkdGWjYyRlJJTUNUVU8wWjVBNTRNWC4u&route=shorturl">Register today</a>.</li><li><strong>Digital Toolkit.</strong> Use this toolkit to engage stakeholders, such as your hospital or health system teams and community leaders, in joining the fight to protect Medicaid. The <a href="/advocacy/advocacy-issues/medicaid">toolkit</a> includes a Medicaid Made Simple video, infographics and fact sheets detailing state impacts, and sample social media posts, stakeholder messages and newsletter copy.</li><li><strong>Coalition to Strengthen America’s Health Care Resources.</strong> The <a href="https://strengthenhealthcare.org/new-coalition-ad-mom-highlights-impact-of-medicaid-cuts-on-americas-seniors" target="_blank">Coalition to Strengthen America’s Healthcare</a>, of which the AHA is a founding member, has a number of digital resources and tools that can assist your advocacy efforts.</li></ul><h3>Health Insurance Marketplace</h3><p><strong>Explain why Congress should reject changes to the Affordable Care Act and </strong><a href="/fact-sheets/2025-02-07-fact-sheet-enhanced-premium-tax-credits"><strong>extend the enhanced premium tax credits</strong></a> before they expire at the end of the year, as they have increased access to health care coverage and high-quality care for patients and communities served by hospitals, health systems and other providers.</p><ul><li><strong>NEW: Fact Sheet.</strong> The AHA has developed a new resource showing how <a href="/fact-sheets/2025-06-05-fact-sheet-one-big-beautiful-bill-act-would-significantly-reduce-availability-coverage-health-insurance"><strong>proposed changes to the Affordable Care Act marketplaces</strong></a><strong> </strong>would lead to millions of people losing their coverage.</li></ul><h3>Site-Neutral Payment Policies</h3><p><strong>Tell your lawmakers why they should </strong><a href="/advocacy/advocacy-issues/2023-09-11-advocacy-issue-site-neutral-payment-proposals"><strong>reject site-neutral policies</strong></a>, as they would reduce patient access to vital health care services, particularly in rural and other medically underserved communities.</p><h3>340B Drug Pricing Program</h3><p><strong>Ask your lawmakers to </strong><a href="/340b-drug-savings-program"><strong>preserve the 340B program</strong></a> and ensure the program continues to help eligible hospitals stretch limited resources and provide more comprehensive services to more patients.</p><h2>Further Questions</h2><p>Visit the <a href="/advocacy/action-center">AHA Action Center</a> for more resources on these issues and other priorities important to hospitals and health systems. If you have further questions, please contact the AHA at 800-424-4301.</p></div><div class="col-md-4"><p><a href="/system/files/media/file/2025/06/act-now-ask-your-senators-to-protect-medicaid-and-access-to-care-alert-6-5-2025.pdf" target="_blank" title="Click here to download the Action Alert Act Now: Ask Your Senators to Protect Medicaid and Access to Care PDF."><img src="/sites/default/files/2025-06/cover-act-now-ask-your-senators-to-protect-medicaid-and-access-to-care-alert-6-5-2025.png" data-entity-uuid data-entity-type="file" alt="Cover Act Now: Ask Your Senators to Protect Medicaid and Access to Care PDF" width="NaN" height="NaN"></a></p></div></div></div> Thu, 05 Jun 2025 16:34:06 -0500 Action Alert <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><p>The House Energy and Commerce Committee late last night released <a href="https://d1dth6e84htgma.cloudfront.net/Subtitle_D_Health_ae3638d840.pdf" target="_blank" title="Bill text">bill text</a> in advance of its May 13 markup. As part of a larger budget process, the committee has been instructed to reduce deficits by $880 billion, with significant Medicaid cuts being considered. The <a href="https://energycommerce.house.gov/events/full-committee-markup-of-budget-reconciliation-text" title="Markup information">markup</a> is expected to begin at 2 p.m. ET.</p><p>In a statement shared with the media this morning, AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack said, “The magnitude of the proposals contained in the Energy and Commerce reconciliation text represents a devastating blow to the health and well-being of our nation’s most vulnerable citizens and communities. There is no avoiding the real-life consequences they will create for hospitals serving our most vulnerable and hard-working families. </p><p>“These proposed cuts will not make the Medicaid program work better for the 72 million Americans who rely on it. Instead, it will lead to millions of hardworking Americans losing access to health care and many of our nation’s hospitals struggling to maintain services and stay open for their communities. We urge Congress to reject efforts to dismantle this vital program.”</p><p><strong>Now is the time to </strong><a href="/2020-10-07-get-involved" target="_blank" title="Contact your representatives information"><strong>contact your representatives and senators</strong></a><strong> — particularly those on the Energy and Commerce Committee — and ask for their support in protecting Medicaid. Please urge them </strong><em><strong>not</strong></em><strong> to make detrimental policy changes that could reduce access to health care for tens of millions of Americans.</strong></p><h2 class="text-align-center"><a href="/2020-10-07-get-involved" target="_blank"><span><u>TAKE ACTION NOW</u></span></a></h2><p>The legislative language outlines significant changes to how Medicaid is financed.<strong> See the AHA </strong><a href="/system/files/media/file/2025/05/aha-summary-of-house-energy-and-commerce-legislative-language.pdf" target="_blank" title="AHA's key highlights document of the legislative language"><strong>key highlights document</strong></a><strong> summarizing several provisions in the Energy and Commerce Committee’s draft bill text. Watch for a more detailed statement that the AHA will submit to the committee with its position on certain proposals.</strong></p><p>In addition, the House Ways and Means Committee, which has primary jurisdiction over Medicare and taxes, is expected to begin debate May 13 on its part of the larger budget bill. It is unclear as of now what Medicare provisions will be included as part of the markup.</p><h2>MEDICAID RESOURCES</h2><p>Use the following resources in your advocacy efforts.</p><p><strong>Explain how vital Medicaid is to your communities.</strong> The AHA has developed several resources that hospitals and health systems can use:</p><ul><li><strong>Digital Toolkit.</strong> Use this toolkit to engage stakeholders, such as your hospital or health system teams and community leaders, in joining the fight to protect Medicaid. The <a href="/advocacy/advocacy-issues/medicaid" target="_blank" title="Digital toolkit to engage stakeholders">toolkit</a> includes a Medicaid Made Simple video, infographics and fact sheets detailing state impacts, and sample social media posts, stakeholder messages and newsletter copy.</li><li><strong>Coalition to Strengthen America’s Health Care Resources.</strong> The <a href="https://strengthenhealthcare.org/" target="_blank" title="Coalition to Strengthen America's Healthcare">Coalition to Strengthen America’s Healthcare</a>, of which the AHA is a founding member, has a number of digital resources and tools that can assist your advocacy efforts.</li><li><strong>Fact Sheets and Infographics.  </strong>The AHA has developed a series of fact sheets and infographics to inform your advocacy efforts. Visit the <a href="/advocacy/advocacy-issues/medicaid" target="_blank" title="Medicaid fact sheet and infographics">Medicaid Advocacy Issue</a> page.</li></ul><p><strong>FURTHER QUESTIONS</strong></p><p>Visit the <a href="/advocacy/action-center" target="_blank" title="AHA Action Center Resources">AHA Action Center</a> for more resources on these issues and other priorities important to hospitals and health systems. If you have further questions, please contact the AHA at 800-424-4301.</p></div><div class="col-md-4"><p><a href="/system/files/media/file/2025/05/urgent-contact-your-members-of-congress-to-protect-medicaid-alert-5-12-2025.pdf" target="_blank" title="Click here to download the Action Alert URGENT: Contact Your Members of Congress to Protect Medicaid PDF."><img src="/sites/default/files/2025-05/cover-urgent-contact-your-members-of-congress-to-protect-medicaid-alert-5-12-2025.png" data-entity-uuid data-entity-type="file" alt="Cover URGENT: Contact Your Members of Congress to Protect Medicaid PDF" width="NaN" height="NaN"></a></p></div></div></div> Mon, 12 May 2025 15:37:43 -0500 Action Alert <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><p>Congressional committees have begun marking up their portions of a reconciliation bill to enact key pieces of President Trump’s agenda. The House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has primary jurisdiction over Medicaid and other health care programs, may mark up its part of the bill as soon as the week of May 5. The E&C Committee has been instructed to reduce deficits by not less than $880 billion, so significant Medicaid cuts are being considered, although no specifics have been released yet. In addition, the House Ways and Means Committee, which has primary jurisdiction over Medicare and taxes, is expected to mark up its part of the bill in mid-May. <br><br>The AHA April 29 sent a letter to <a href="/lettercomment/2025-04-29-aha-letter-congressional-leadership-potential-medicaid-eptc-policy-changes" target="_blank">House and Senate leaders</a> expressing support for the Medicaid program and urging Congress to refrain from considering disruptive policy changes to Medicaid and other health care coverage that could impact access to health care for tens of millions of Americans.  <br><br><strong>Please contact your lawmakers today and urge them to reject harmful funding cuts to Medicaid and other health care programs. Explain how cuts to Medicaid and other programs would reduce access to care and services for their constituents. The following AHA resources can assist your advocacy efforts.  </strong><br> </p><h2 class="text-align-center"><a href="/2020-10-07-get-involved" target="_blank"><span><u>TAKE ACTION NOW</u></span></a></h2><h3>MEDICAID RESOURCES  </h3><p><strong>Explain how vital Medicaid is to your communities</strong>. The AHA has developed several resources that hospitals and health systems can use:   </p><ul><li><strong>Digital Toolkit.</strong> Use this toolkit to engage stakeholders, such as your hospital or health system teams and community leaders, in joining the fight to protect Medicaid. The <a href="/advocacy/advocacy-issues/medicaid" target="_blank">toolkit</a> includes a Medicaid Made Simple video, sample social media messages, sample stakeholder messages and newsletter copy.</li><li><strong>Advocacy Message</strong>. Take action by sending your member of Congress a message detailing the impact of Medicaid cuts in your community. <a href="https://www.votervoice.net/AHA/Campaigns/125909/Respond" target="_blank" title="Advocacy Message Link">Share the link</a> with your stakeholders to encourage broad action</li><li><strong>Protect Access to Care</strong>. Use this <a href="/fact-sheets/2025-04-14-protect-access-care-reject-cuts-medicaid-program-and-premium-hikes-working-families" target="_blank">infographic</a> to demonstrate the national hospital impact of potential Medicaid cuts and the enhanced premium tax credits (EPTCs) expiring.</li><li><strong>What’s at Stake</strong>. Use this <a href="/fact-sheets/2025-04-14-whats-stake-medicaid-covers-people-you-know" target="_blank">fact sheet</a> to show the makeup of Medicaid coverage across the country and what’s at stake if Congress cuts the program. Use these <a href="/issue-brief/2025-05-01-state-infographics-whats-stake-medicaid-covers-people-you-know" target="_blank">new infographics</a> to show what's at stake for each state. </li><li><strong>Coalition to Strengthen America’s Health Care Resources</strong>. The <a href="https://strengthenhealthcare.org/" target="_blank">Coalition to Strengthen America’s Healthcare</a>, of which the AHA is a founding member, has a number of digital resources and tools that can assist your advocacy efforts. </li></ul><p>In addition, the following fact sheets can help explain how Medicaid ensures hospitals and health systems can care for their communities:</p><ul><li><a href="/fact-sheets/2025-02-07-fact-sheet-medicaid" target="_blank">General Fact Sheet on Medicaid</a></li><li><a href="/fact-sheets/2025-02-07-fact-sheet-medicaid-provider-taxes" target="_blank">Fact Sheet on Medicaid Provider Taxes</a></li><li><a href="/fact-sheets/2025-02-07-fact-sheet-medicaid-hospital-payment-basics" target="_blank">Fact Sheet on Medicaid Hospital Payment Basics</a></li><li><a href="/fact-sheets/2025-02-07-fact-sheet-capita-caps-medicaid-program" target="_blank">Medicaid Per Capita Caps</a> </li></ul><h3>ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ON EPTCs, SITE-NEUTRAL AND 340B</h3><ul><li><strong>Explain why Congress should </strong><a href="/fact-sheets/2025-02-07-fact-sheet-enhanced-premium-tax-credits" target="_blank"><strong>extend the EPTCs</strong></a> before they expire at the end of the year, as they have increased access to health care coverage and high-quality care for patients and communities served by hospitals, health systems and other providers.</li><li><strong>Tell your lawmakers why they should </strong><a href="/advocacy/advocacy-issues/2023-09-11-advocacy-issue-site-neutral-payment-proposals" target="_blank"><strong>reject site-neutral policies</strong></a>, as they would reduce patient access to vital health care services, particularly in rural and other medically underserved communities.</li><li><strong>Ask your lawmakers to </strong><a href="/340b-drug-savings-program" target="_blank"><strong>preserve the 340B program</strong></a> to ensure the program continues to help eligible hospitals stretch limited resources and provide more comprehensive services to more patients. </li></ul><h3>FURTHER QUESTIONS </h3><p>Visit the <a href="/advocacy/action-center" target="_blank">AHA Action Center</a> for more resources on these issues and other priorities important to hospitals and health systems. If you have further questions, please contact AHA at 800-424-4301.<br> </p></div><div class="col-md-4"><p><a href="/system/files/media/file/2025/04/act-now-urge-your-members-of-congress-to-protect-medicaid-and-other-crucial-programs-alert-4-30-2025.pdf" target="_blank" title="Click here to download the Action Alert ACT NOW: Urge Your Members of Congress to Protect Medicaid and Other Crucial Programs PDF."><img src="/sites/default/files/2025-04/cover-act-now-urge-your-members-of-congress-to-protect-medicaid-and-other-crucial-programs-alert-4-30-2025.png" data-entity-uuid data-entity-type="file" alt="Cover Action Alert ACT NOW: Urge Your Members of Congress to Protect Medicaid and Other Crucial Programs." width="NaN" height="NaN"></a></p></div></div></div> Thu, 01 May 2025 08:00:00 -0500 Action Alert <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><p>The House of Representatives and Senate have passed a combined budget resolution, allowing the chambers to move forward with the <a href="/issue-landing-page/2025-02-07-budget-reconciliation-process-resource-page">reconciliation process</a> as Republicans try to enact a key piece of the president’s agenda. House and Senate committees will begin drafting legislation consistent with their instructions from the budget resolution.</p><p>Specifically, the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has primary jurisdiction over Medicaid and other health care programs, has been instructed to reduce deficits by not less than $880 billion so significant Medicaid cuts are being considered.</p><h2><span>Take Action</span></h2><p><strong>With your senators and representatives home in their states and districts for the next two weeks, please reach out to your lawmakers and urge them to reject funding cuts to Medicaid and other health care programs as part of reconciliation bill. Please tell your lawmakers how cuts to Medicaid and other programs would reduce access to care and services for patients in your communities. The AHA has a number of resources, including new ones on Medicaid, that can assist your advocacy efforts.</strong></p><h2>AHA Resources</h2><h3>Medicaid and Enhanced Premium Tax Credits (EPTC)</h3><p><strong>Explain how vital Medicaid is to your communities.</strong> The AHA has developed several resources hospitals and health systems can use.</p><ul><li><span><strong>NEW!</strong></span><strong> Protect Access to Care.</strong> Use this <a href="/fact-sheets/2025-04-14-protect-access-care-reject-cuts-medicaid-program-and-premium-hikes-working-families">infographic</a> to demonstrate the national hospital impact of potential Medicaid cuts and EPTCs expiring.</li><li><span><strong>NEW!</strong></span><strong> What’s at Stake.</strong> Use this <a href="/fact-sheets/2025-04-14-whats-stake-medicaid-covers-people-you-know">fact sheet</a> to show the makeup of Medicaid coverage across the country and what’s at stake if Congress cuts the program.</li></ul><p>In addition, the AHA has a series of additional resources to assist you in your advocacy to protect Medicaid, including the following:</p><ul><li><a href="/fact-sheets/2025-02-07-fact-sheet-medicaid">General Fact Sheet on Medicaid</a></li><li><a href="/fact-sheets/2025-02-07-fact-sheet-medicaid-provider-taxes">Fact Sheet on Medicaid Provider Taxes</a></li><li><a href="/fact-sheets/2025-02-07-fact-sheet-medicaid-provider-taxes">Fact Sheet on Medicaid Hospital Payment Basics</a></li><li><a href="/fact-sheets/2025-02-07-fact-sheet-capita-caps-medicaid-program">Medicaid Per Capita Caps</a></li></ul><p><strong>Explain why Congress should </strong><a href="/fact-sheets/2025-02-07-fact-sheet-enhanced-premium-tax-credits"><strong>extend the EPTCs</strong></a> before they expire at the end of the year as they have increased access to health care coverage and high-quality care for patients and communities served by hospitals, health systems and other providers.</p><h3>Site-neutral Payment Policies</h3><p><strong>Tell your lawmakers why they should </strong><a href="/advocacy/advocacy-issues/2023-09-11-advocacy-issue-site-neutral-payment-proposals"><strong>reject site-neutral policies</strong></a><strong>,</strong> as they would reduce patient access to vital health care services, particularly in rural and other medically underserved communities.</p><h3>340B Drug Pricing Program</h3><p><strong>Ask your lawmakers to </strong><a href="/340b-drug-savings-program"><strong>preserve the 340B program</strong></a> to ensure the program continues to help eligible hospitals stretch limited resources and provide more comprehensive services to more patients.</p><h2>Further Questions</h2><p>Visit the <a href="/advocacy/action-center">AHA Action Center</a> for more resources on these issues and other priorities important to hospitals and health systems.</p><p>If you have further questions, please contact AHA at <a href="tel:1-800-424-4301">800-424-4301</a>.</p></div><div class="col-md-4"><p><a href="/system/files/media/file/2025/04/Action-Alert-TAKE-ACTION-Urge-Lawmakers-to-Reject-Medicaid-Cuts-Protect-Access-to-Care.pdf" target="_blank" title="Click here to download the Action Alert TAKE ACTION: Urge Lawmakers to Reject Medicaid Cuts, Protect Access to Care PDF."><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Page-1-Action-Alert-TAKE-ACTION-Urge-Lawmakers-to-Reject-Medicaid-Cuts-Protect-Access-to-Care.png" data-entity-uuid="6711b1a3-0cbf-4224-bfd8-94cda212c07f" data-entity-type="file" alt="Action Alert TAKE ACTION: Urge Lawmakers to Reject Medicaid Cuts, Protect Access to Care page 1." width="695" height="900"></a></p></div></div></div> Mon, 14 Apr 2025 12:15:37 -0500 Action Alert <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><p>In December, Congress passed a legislative package to fund the government through March 14 and extend key health care provisions through the end of March. Congressional action is needed once again to fund the government and ensure long-term stability for these critical health care programs. At the same time, House and Senate Republicans are planning a strategy to use the budget reconciliation process to accomplish some of their legislative priorities, and Congress must raise the debt ceiling in the coming months. As part of these strategies, they are considering proposals that would reduce funding for hospital care, including reductions to the Medicaid program, jeopardizing access to the 24/7 care and services that hospitals provide.</p><h2>Action Needed</h2><p><strong>Please ask your senators and representatives to prevent Medicaid disproportionate share hospital payment cuts from taking effect; extend enhanced low-volume adjustment and Medicare-dependent hospital programs that expand access to care in rural areas; and extend telehealth and hospital-at-home waivers. These policies are currently set to expire at the end of March and must be extended.</strong></p><p><strong>In your discussions with your legislators, please continue to share the valuable role your hospital or health system plays in the community they represent and urge them to reject cuts that would jeopardize access to hospital care and services that patients rely on.</strong></p><p>More details and resources to support your advocacy efforts on these important issues follow.</p><h2>Health Care Extenders</h2><p>Congress passed a legislative package in December that extended some key health care provisions through the end of March, but additional congressional action is needed.</p><ul><li><strong>Prevent Medicaid DSH Cuts.</strong> The Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) program provides essential financial assistance to hospitals that care for our nation’s most vulnerable populations — children, the impoverished, disabled and elderly. Without congressional action, billions in cuts would take effect April 1. <strong>See the </strong><a href="/system/files/media/file/2020/02/fact-sheet-medicaid-dsh-0120.pdf"><strong>Medicaid DSH fact sheet</strong></a><strong> for more details.</strong></li><li><strong>Extend Key Rural Programs.</strong> The enhanced low-volume adjustment and Medicare-dependent hospital programs provide rural, geographically isolated and low-volume hospitals additional financial support to ensure rural residents have access to care. Without congressional action, these programs will expire on April 1. <strong>See the </strong><a href="/fact-sheets/2022-08-30-fact-sheet-rural-hospital-support-act-s4009-assistance-rural-community"><strong>rural programs fact sheet</strong></a><strong> for more details.</strong></li><li><strong>Extend Telehealth and Hospital-at-Home Waivers.</strong> Congress has extended telehealth waivers and the hospital-at-home program through March 31, but additional action is needed. See the <a href="/advocacy/advocacy-issues/2024-10-31-advocacy-issue-telehealth-waivers">telehealth</a> and <a href="/fact-sheets/2024-08-06-fact-sheet-extending-hospital-home-program">hospital-at-home fact sheets</a> for more details.</li></ul><h2>Critical Issues for the 119th Congress</h2><p>Following our Feb. 5 advocacy update webinar for members, we are providing new fact sheets and primers on emerging issues of significant importance for hospitals and health systems. We will be providing updates, new resources and data on these and other issues to help your advocacy efforts throughout the year.</p><h3>Reject Cuts to Medicaid</h3><p>Republican leaders continue to have discussions about how to use reconciliation — a <a href="/issue-landing-page/2025-02-07-budget-reconciliation-process-resource-page">budget tool</a> that gives Congress a fast-track mechanism to avoid the Senate filibuster and pass legislation with a simple majority. House and Senate Republicans are expected to use the budget reconciliation process to try to pass key agenda items on taxes, energy and border security, and they may look to health program funding as a way to pay for this legislation. <strong>Such proposals could significantly reduce federal spending for the Medicaid program. Even a small portion of possible reductions could have wide-ranging negative consequences for the health and well-being of both Medicaid enrollees and the broader health care system.</strong></p><p>The AHA has developed a number of resources hospitals and health systems can use as part of their advocacy efforts, including the following:</p><ul><li><a href="/fact-sheets/2025-02-07-fact-sheet-medicaid">General Fact Sheet on Medicaid</a></li><li><a href="/fact-sheets/2025-02-07-fact-sheet-medicaid-provider-taxes">Fact Sheet on Medicaid Provider Taxes</a></li><li><a href="/fact-sheets/2025-02-07-fact-sheet-medicaid-hospital-payment-basics">Fact Sheet on Medicaid Hospital Payment Basics</a></li><li><a href="/fact-sheets/2025-02-07-fact-sheet-capita-caps-medicaid-program">Medicaid Per Capita Caps</a></li></ul><h3>Extend Enhanced Premium Tax Credits</h3><p>The federal government offers enhanced premium tax credits (EPTCs) to help eligible individuals and families purchase coverage on the health insurance marketplaces. These policies are scheduled to expire at the end of 2025. <strong>Congress should extend the EPTCs before the end of the year</strong> as they have increased access to health care coverage and high-quality care for patients and communities served by hospitals, health systems and other providers. <strong>Download the AHA fact sheet, which includes new data on the negative impact of not extending the </strong><a href="/fact-sheets/2025-02-07-fact-sheet-enhanced-premium-tax-credits"><strong>EPTCs</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><h3>Reject Site-neutral Payment Cuts</h3><p>Congress is considering several bills that would impose billions in Medicare site-neutral payment reductions for services provided in hospital outpatient departments. <strong>Congress should reject site-neutral proposals</strong> because they would reduce patient access to vital health care services, particularly in rural and other medically underserved communities. <strong>See AHA resources on the detrimental impact of </strong><a href="/advocacy/advocacy-issues/2023-09-11-advocacy-issue-site-neutral-payment-proposals"><strong>site-neutral policies</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><h3>Protect the 340B Drug Pricing Program</h3><p>For more than 30 years, the 340B Drug Pricing Program has provided financial help to hospitals serving vulnerable communities to manage rising prescription drug costs. However, some in Congress and the pharmaceutical industry want to see the program scaled back. <strong>Congress should protect the 340B program</strong> for all providers and ensure the program continues to help stretch limited resources and provide more comprehensive services to more patients. <strong>Download the AHA fact sheets on the </strong><a href="/340b-drug-savings-program"><strong>340B program</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><h2>Further Questions</h2><p>Visit the <a href="/advocacy/action-center">AHA Action Center</a> for more resources on these issues and other priorities important to hospitals and health systems. Watch for more Action Alerts and resources from the AHA to assist your advocacy efforts. If you have further questions, please contact AHA at 800-424-4301.</p></div><div class="col-md-4"><p><a href="/system/files/media/file/2025/02/Contact-Your-Lawmakers-and-Urge-Them-to-Extend-Key-Health-Care-Policies-Set-to-Expire-Next-Month.pdf" target="_blank" title="Click here to download the Action Alert ACTION NEEDED: Contact Your Lawmakers and Urge Them to Extend Key Health Care Policies Set to Expire Next Month PDF."><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Page-1-Contact-Your-Lawmakers-and-Urge-Them-to-Extend-Key-Health-Care-Policies-Set-to-Expire-Next-Month.png" data-entity-uuid="2dd3d759-0b56-4a54-8cdb-d635ee169360" data-entity-type="file" alt="Action Alert: ACTION NEEDED: Contact Your Lawmakers and Urge Them to Extend Key Health Care Policies Set to Expire Next Month page 1." width="696" height="900"></a></p></div></div></div> Fri, 07 Feb 2025 15:04:02 -0600 Action Alert <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><p>Lawmakers have returned to Washington, D.C., to tackle end-of-the-year funding needs. Quick action is needed this week to address the Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payment reductions.</p><p>The <a href="/fact-sheets/2023-03-28-fact-sheet-medicaid-dsh-program">Medicaid DSH program</a> provides essential financial assistance to hospitals that care for our nation’s most vulnerable populations — children, impoverished, disabled and elderly. Fiscal year 2025 Medicaid DSH payment reductions are scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, 2025, with $8 billion in cuts. The AHA is asking Congress to continue to provide relief from the Medicaid DSH cuts.</p><p><strong>Contact your representative by Dec. 6 and ask them to sign on to the bipartisan </strong><a href="/system/files/media/file/2024/11/congress-dear-colleague-letter-to-stop-medicaid-disproportionate-share-hospital-dsh-payment-cuts-11-13-2024.pdf"><strong>House Dear Colleague letter</strong></a><strong> being circulated by Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, Rep. Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y., Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., and Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., calling for the Medicaid DSH cuts to be addressed.</strong> View the <a href="/system/files/media/file/2024/11/house-medicaid-dsh-letter-signers-november-2024.pdf">list of current signers</a> to see if your representative supports the letter. If they have not signed, use <a href="/2020-10-07-get-involved?vvsrc=%2fCampaigns%2f118959%2fRespond">this form</a> to send a message asking them to sign now.</p><p>In addition, please see the recent <a href="/action-alert/2024-11-13-aha-asks-congressional-leadership-fund-hospitals-protect-health-care-workers">AHA Action Alert</a> that includes messages and resources on a number of priorities we continue to push with Congress as they work on year-end legislative packages.</p><h2>Further Questions</h2><p>Visit the <a href="/advocacy/action-center">AHA Action Center</a> for more resources on these issues and other priorities important to hospitals and health systems.</p><p>If you have further questions, please contact AHA at <a href="tel:1-800-424-4301">800-424-4301</a>.</p></div><div class="col-md-4"><p><a href="/system/files/media/file/2024/12/Action-Alert-Urgent-Ask-Your-Lawmaker-to-Prevent-Medicaid-DSH-Payment-Cuts.pdf" target="_blank" title="Click here to download the Action Alert: Urgent: Ask Your Lawmaker to Prevent Medicaid DSH Payment Cuts PDF."><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Action-Alert-Urgent-Ask-Your-Lawmaker-to-Prevent-Medicaid-DSH-Payment-Cuts.png" data-entity-uuid="1171b980-eb8c-4123-a9c6-732c7353be44" data-entity-type="file" alt="Action Alert: Urgent: Ask Your Lawmaker to Prevent Medicaid DSH Payment Cuts page 1." width="695" height="900"></a></p></div></div></div> Mon, 02 Dec 2024 11:58:46 -0600 Action Alert <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><p>Following the elections, lawmakers are returning to Washington, D.C., to tackle key funding issues, including Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payment reductions and support for rural programs. They also will consider site-neutral payment proposals, oversight of health plans, continuation of telehealth and hospital-at-home waivers, and the prevention of violence against health care workers.</p><p>Before the lame-duck session ends and the 118th Congress adjourns, it is essential that federal lawmakers understand the challenges hospitals and health systems face and what is at stake for the patients and communities they represent. With several programs facing expiration at the end of this year, quick action is needed to preserve necessary funding and support for the nation’s health care organizations.</p><p>Here are the issues AHA leaders are <a href="/2024-11-12-aha-urges-congress-act-key-priorities-lame-duck-session" target="_blank" title="Issues AHA Leaders are calling on Congress to reinforce">calling on congressional leaders</a> to reinforce. Following is an overview of the issues and what you can do to assist these advocacy efforts.</p><h2>SUPPORT MEDICAID DSH DEAR COLLEAGUE LETTER</h2><p>At the beginning of the year, billions of dollars will be cut from the Medicaid DSH program, severely jeopardizing hospitals’ finances and threatening communities’ access to care. Contact your representative(s) and ask them to sign on to the bipartisan <a href="/system/files/media/file/2024/11/congress-dear-colleague-letter-to-stop-medicaid-disproportionate-share-hospital-dsh-payment-cuts-11-13-2024.pdf" target="_blank" title="House Dear Colleague Letter">House Dear Colleague letter</a> being circulated by Reps. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y., Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., and Diana DeGette, D-Colo., calling for Medicaid DSH cuts to be addressed. <a href="https://www.votervoice.net/AHA/Campaigns/118959/Respond">Click here</a> to send a message to your representatives.</p><h2><strong>LEGISLATIVE ACTION NEEDED</strong></h2><p><strong>Address the Medicaid</strong> <strong>DSH Payment Reductions. </strong>The <a href="/fact-sheets/2023-03-28-fact-sheet-medicaid-dsh-program" target="_blank" title="Medicare DSH Program Information">Medicaid DSH program</a> provides essential financial assistance to hospitals that care for our nation’s most vulnerable populations — children, impoverished, disabled and elderly. The fiscal year 2025 Medicaid DSH payment reductions are scheduled to be implemented on Jan. 1, 2025, when $8 billion in reductions take effect. The AHA calls on Congress to continue to provide relief from the Medicaid DSH cuts.</p><p><strong>Protect Rural Communities’ Access to Care.</strong> The AHA urges Congress to continue the <a href="/advocacy/advocacy-issues/2024-10-31-advocacy-issue-rural-mdh-and-lva-programs" target="_blank" title="Medicare-dependent Hospitals and Low-volume Adjustment programs">Medicare-dependent Hospitals and Low-volume Adjustment programs</a>. These programs provide rural, geographically isolated and low-volume hospitals additional financial support to ensure rural residents have access to care. These programs expire on Dec. 31, 2024. Congress should also enact a technical correction to remove barriers for Rural Emergency Hospitals to receive hospital-level reimbursement for outpatient services under Medicaid<strong>.</strong> </p><p><strong>Reject Site-neutral Payment Proposals.</strong> The AHA strongly opposes efforts to expand <a href="/advocacy/advocacy-issues/2023-09-11-advocacy-issue-site-neutral-payment-proposals" target="_blank" title="Site-neutral payment cuts information">site-neutral payment cuts</a> to include essential drug administration services furnished in off-campus hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs). Current Medicare payment rates appropriately recognize that there are fundamental differences between patient care delivered in HOPDs compared to other settings. HOPDs have higher patient safety and quality standards, and, unlike other sites of care, hospitals take important additional steps to ensure drugs are prepared and administered safely for both patients and providers. </p><p>The AHA also calls on Congress to reject legislative efforts requiring each off-campus HOPD to be assigned a separate unique health identifier from its provider as a condition of payment under Medicare or group health plans. Hospitals are already required to be transparent about the location of care delivery. This requirement would be duplicative and impose unnecessary and onerous administrative burdens and costs by needlessly requiring the overhaul of current billing practices and systems.</p><p><strong>Hold Commercial Health Plans Accountable.</strong> Certain health plan practices, such as inappropriate care denials and delayed payments, threaten patient access to care. These practices also contribute to clinician burnout and add excessive administrative costs and burdens to the health care system. The AHA urges Congress to pass the<a href="/lettercomment/2024-06-12-aha-support-house-improving-seniors-timely-access-care-act" target="_blank" title="Improving seniors timely access to care"> Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act</a> (H.R. 8702/ S. 4532), bipartisan legislation supported by more than half of the members of the House and Senate. The bill would streamline the prior authorization process in the Medicare Advantage program by eliminating complexity and promoting uniformity to reduce the wide variation in prior authorization methods that frustrate both patients and providers.</p><p><strong>Extend </strong><a href="/system/files/media/file/2024/05/fact-sheet-2024-telehealth-advocacy-agenda.pdf" target="_blank" title="Telehealth information"><strong>Telehealth</strong></a><strong> and </strong><a href="/system/files/media/file/2024/07/Fact-Sheet-Extending-the-Hospital-at-Home-Program-20240719.pdf" target="_blank" title="Hospitals-at-home information"><strong>Hospital-at-home</strong></a><strong> Waivers.</strong> During the COVID-19 public health emergency, Congress established a series of waivers expanding access for millions of Americans and increasing convenience in caring for patients. Telehealth provides a tremendous ability to leverage geographically dispersed provider capacity to support patient demand. The AHA calls on Congress to permanently adopt telehealth waivers and expand the telehealth workforce. </p><p>The AHA also urges Congress to pass the <a href="/lettercomment/2024-05-23-aha-support-house-bill-hospital-inpatient-services-modernization-act-2024" target="_blank" title="Hospitals Inpatient Services Modernization Act">Hospital Inpatient Services Modernization Act</a> (H.R. 8260/S. 4350), extending the hospital-at-home waiver for five years through 2029. Congressional action will reassure hospitals and health systems that are interested in developing such programs for their communities. </p><p><strong>Prevent Reimbursement Cuts for Physicians. </strong>Congress should take action to mitigate the scheduled physician reimbursement cuts for 2025 and to continue its work on broader reform for sustainable physician payment. Physicians have dealt with over two decades of conversion factor decrements, as well as significant staffing shortages and rising inflation in recent years. The scheduled 2.8% payment reduction in the 2025 Physician Fee Schedule would result in a significant risk to patients’ access to care.</p><p><strong>Protect America’s Health Care Workers.</strong> The AHA calls on Congress to enact the <a href="/system/files/media/file/2022/09/Fact-Sheet-Workplace-Violence-and-Intimidation-and-the-Need-for-a-Federal-Legislative-Response.pdf" target="_blank" title="SAVE Act information">Safety from Violence for Healthcare Employees (SAVE) Act</a> (H.R. 2584/S. 2768). This bipartisan bill would provide federal protections from workplace violence for hospital workers, similar to the protections in current law for airport and airline workers.</p><h2>FURTHER QUESTIONS</h2><p>Visit the <a href="/advocacy/action-center" target="_blank" title="AHA Action Center">AHA Action Center</a> for more resources on these issues and other priorities important to hospitals and health systems.</p><p>If you have further questions, please contact AHA at 800-424-4301.<br> </p></div><div class="col-md-4"><a href="/system/files/media/file/2024/11/aha-asks-congressional-leadership-to-fund-hospitals-protect-health-care-workers-alert-11-13-2024.pdf"><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/cover-aha-asks-congressional-leadership-to-fund-hospitals-protect-health-care-workers-alert-11-13-2024.png" data-entity-uuid="40f68d4b-dfe5-4e56-af78-6f8af97f13ca" data-entity-type="file" alt="Action Alert Cover Image" width="640" height="834"></a></div></div><p> </p></div> Wed, 13 Nov 2024 14:05:33 -0600 Action Alert <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><p>Lawmakers have returned to their districts for October after passing a continuing resolution that will keep the government funded through Dec. 20. Following the November election, lawmakers will return to Washington for a busy lame-duck session when key funding issues, including Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) and rural programs, will be on the agenda.</p><p>Now, while lawmakers are in their district, it is important for the field to engage with members of Congress to remind them of the importance of preserving access to care by continuing to fund vital programs and avoiding harmful policies such as site-neutral payments. It is essential that federal lawmakers understand the challenges hospitals and health systems face and what is at stake for the patients and communities they represent.</p><p>While AHA makes the case in Washington, D.C., we also continue to increase our efforts to engage the field with their lawmakers. It is important that hospital and health system leaders reinforce these messages back home. Your legislators listen to you because you live, work, vote and provide care in their communities. Lawmakers need to hear how congressional support is necessary to ensure hospitals can provide the 24/7 access to care patients and communities depend on.</p><h2>WHAT YOU CAN DO</h2><ul><li><strong>Contact</strong> your lawmakers and arrange conversations about the challenges your organization is facing and why additional support is needed.</li><li><strong>Invite</strong> your elected officials to visit your organization to show them firsthand the important service you provide to their communities.</li><li><strong>Explain</strong> to your elected lawmakers how government funding programs such as Medicaid DSH, enhanced low-volume adjustment (LVA) and Medicare-dependent hospitals (MDH), and others impact your ability to provide care in your community, and what would happen if those programs were not extended.</li><li><strong>Share</strong> this alert with your government affairs and media relations staff, leadership team and governance board to ensure a cohesive narrative around issues impacting hospitals and health systems. Be prepared to give specific examples of what services could be at stake.</li></ul><h2>AREAS OF FOCUS</h2><p><strong>Prevent damaging cuts to hospitals. </strong>The <a href="/fact-sheets/2023-03-28-fact-sheet-medicaid-dsh-program">Medicaid DSH program</a> provides essential financial assistance to hospitals that care for our nation’s most vulnerable populations — children, impoverished, disabled and elderly. The Medicaid DSH payment reductions are scheduled to be implemented on Jan. 1, 2025, when $8 billion in reductions take effect. <u>Congress should provide relief from the Medicaid DSH cuts.</u></p><p>In addition, <a href="/fact-sheets/2022-08-30-fact-sheet-rural-hospital-support-act-s4009-assistance-rural-community">MDH and LVA programs</a> provide rural, geographically isolated and low-volume hospitals additional financial support to ensure rural residents have access to care. These programs are set to expire Dec. 31, 2024. <u>Congress should extend or make these critical rural programs permanent.</u> AHA member hospitals participating in the MDH and/or LVA programs received an Alert with data on the impact on their organization if these programs expire.</p><p><a href="/issue-landing-page/2023-09-11-advocacy-issue-site-neutral-payment-proposals"><strong>Reject so-called site-neutral payment proposals.</strong></a><strong> </strong>When Congress returns from recess, AHA expects to see continued efforts to push proposals that would enact additional site-neutral payment cuts. <u>Urge your lawmakers to oppose any site-neutral payment proposal</u> as they would impose billions of dollars in additional Medicare payment cuts for services provided by hospital outpatient departments. It’s important to emphasize that these proposals would reduce patient access to vital health care services, particularly in rural and other medically underserved communities.</p><p><strong>Hold commercial health plans accountable. </strong>Certain health plan practices threaten patient access to care, contribute to clinician burnout and add excessive administrative costs and burden to the health care system. Regulators should increase their oversight of health plans<strong> </strong>and implement a comprehensive simplification agenda, beginning with streamlining prior authorization requirements and processes and monitoring for abusive payment delays and denials. <u>Urge Congress to pass the </u><a href="/lettercomment/2024-06-12-aha-support-house-improving-seniors-timely-access-care-act">Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act</a><u> — bipartisan legislation that would streamline the prior authorization process in the Medicare Advantage program.</u></p><p><strong>Permanently adopt </strong><a href="/system/files/media/file/2024/05/fact-sheet-2024-telehealth-advocacy-agenda.pdf"><strong>telehealth</strong></a><strong> and </strong><a href="/system/files/media/file/2024/07/Fact-Sheet-Extending-the-Hospital-at-Home-Program-20240719.pdf"><strong>hospital-at-home</strong></a><strong> waivers. </strong>During the public health emergency, Congress established a series of waivers expanding access for millions of Americans and increasing convenience in caring for patients. Telehealth holds tremendous potential to leverage geographically dispersed provider capacity to support patient demand. <u>Congress should permanently adopt telehealth waivers and expand the telehealth workforce</u>.</p><p>Hospital-at-home programs are a safe, innovative way to care for patients in the comfort of their homes. With over 300 hospitals with hospital-at-home programs, many other hospitals and health systems indicate they are interested in developing programs for their communities but are reluctant to do so without congressional action. <u>Urge</u> <u>Congress to pass the Hospital Inpatient Services Modernization Act (</u><a href="/lettercomment/2024-05-23-aha-support-house-bill-hospital-inpatient-services-modernization-act-2024">H.R. 8260</a><u>/</u><a href="/lettercomment/2024-05-23-aha-support-senate-bill-hospital-inpatient-services-modernization-act-2024">S. 4350</a><u>), extending the hospital-at-home waiver for five years through 2029.</u> The current waiver is set to expire Dec. 31, 2024.</p><p><strong>Protect America’s health care workers. </strong>Enactment of the <a href="/action-alert/2024-06-07-urge-congress-protect-health-care-workers-violence-passing-save-act">Safety from Violence for Healthcare Employees (SAVE) Act</a> (H.R. 2584/S. 2768) is a top priority for the AHA and the hospital field. This bipartisan bill would provide federal protections from workplace violence for hospital workers, similar to the protections in current law for airport and airline workers. <u>Urge your lawmakers to cosponsor the bipartisan SAVE Act.</u></p><h2>RESOURCES</h2><ul><li><a href="https://www.senate.gov/legislative/resources/pdf/2024_calendar.pdf">Senate</a> and <a href="https://www.majorityleader.gov/uploadedfiles/2024_house_calendar_-_one_page_-_revised_april_2024.pdf">House</a> 2024 calendars.</li><li><a href="/2024-03-01-congressional-site-visits-during-and-after">Congressional Site Visits</a>: Before, During and After — AHA’s comprehensive resource to help you and your staff plan a lawmaker’s visit.</li><li><a href="https://youtu.be/T-RlDRPzJCE">Video </a>of Bruce White, CEO of Knox Community Hospital in Ohio, describing his experience hosting a site visit.</li></ul><p>See AHA’s additional tips and best practices to enhance your advocacy <a href="/advocacy/2023-03-07-advocacy-tips-and-best-practices">here</a>.</p><h2>FURTHER QUESTIONS</h2><p><strong>To support your efforts to communicate effectively with lawmakers and their staff, visit the </strong><a href="/advocacy/action-center"><strong>AHA Action Center</strong></a><strong> for more resources on these issues and other priorities important to hospitals and health systems. </strong></p><p>If you have further questions, please contact AHA at 800-424-4301.</p></div><div class="col-md-4"><a href="/system/files/media/file/2024/09/action-needed-contact-lawmakers-on-important-issues-facing-hospitals-and-health-systems-9-30-2024.pdf" target="_blank" action alert><img src="/sites/default/files/2024-09/cover-action-needed-contact-lawmakers-on-important-issues-facing-hospitals-and-health-systems-9-30-2024.png" data-entity-uuid data-entity-type="file" alt="Cover Action Alert: ACTION NEEDED: Contact Lawmakers on Important Issues Facing Hospitals and Health Systems" width="NaN" height="NaN"></a></div></div></div> Mon, 30 Sep 2024 13:20:55 -0500 Action Alert <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><p>Reps. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.), Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), Doris Matsui (D-Calif.), Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), Tracey Mann (R-Kan.) and Rob Wittman (R-Va.) are asking representatives to sign onto a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services urging it to take action to stop Johnson & Johnson’s (J&J) plan “to upend more than 30 years of federal law by delaying access to 340B Drug Pricing Program <a>(340B) </a>discounts on pharmaceuticals for certain safety-net hospitals.”</p><p>The letter states, “This unapproved and unlawful change would have severe consequences for our nation’s safety net providers and the patients they serve. We understand that J&J is moving forward with this proposal despite being told by the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) that the company’s proposal is inconsistent with the 340B statute. We thank you for your continued efforts to preserve the integrity of 340B and swift response to this announcement thus far, and urge you to use every enforcement tool at your disposal to protect the communities safety-net hospitals serve from this devastating change to 340B.”</p><p><strong>Please contact your representative and ask them to sign onto the letter by Sept. 20. It is important that we get as many signatures as possible on the letter.</strong></p><h2>BACKGROUND</h2><p>On Aug. 23, J&J announced that it would be upending its approach to 340B pricing for two of its most popular products, Stelara and Xarelto. Historically, J&J offered upfront discounts to 340B hospitals when they purchased these drugs. Starting on Oct. 15, however, J&J will require all disproportionate share hospitals participating in the 340B Program to purchase these drugs at full price and apply for a rebate from J&J. Under the new program, these hospitals will be required to submit certain data to J&J when they purchase the drugs at full price. After J&J verifies the drug’s 340B status, it will send disproportionate share hospitals a rebate for the difference between the amount paid and the discounted 340B price.</p><p>Right after J&J’s announcement, AHA expressed <a href="/2024-08-28-aha-urges-hrsa-take-immediate-enforcement-action-block-jjs-illegal-imposition-340b-rebate-model">concern</a> and said HRSA should take “immediate enforcement action,” including assessing civil monetary penalties on Johnson & Johnson for intentionally overcharging 340B hospitals.</p><h2>FURTHER QUESTIONS</h2><p>For questions, contact Aimee Kuhlman, AHA’s vice president of advocacy and grassroots, at <a href="mailto:akuhlman@aha.org">akuhlman@aha.org</a>. </p></div><div class="col-md-4"><a href="/system/files/media/file/2024/09/urge-your-representative-to-sign-letter-for-hhs-to-act-on-j-and-j-340b-proposal-alert-9-13-2024-f.pdf" title="Action Alert "><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/cover-urge-your-representative-to-sign-letter-for-hhs-to-act-on-j-and-j-340b-proposal-alert-9-13-2024-f.png" data-entity-uuid="206ff848-fbf5-432c-ada3-2ebfa2807e19" data-entity-type="file" alt="Urge Your Representatives to Sign Letter to HHS Asking it to Take Action to Protect Providers from ‘Devastating’ J&J 340B Proposal Cover Imagel" width="640" height="834"></a></div></div></div> Fri, 13 Sep 2024 14:35:12 -0500 Action Alert