/ en Thu, 31 Jul 2025 04:19:25 -0500 Wed, 30 Jul 25 09:00:13 -0500 /action-alert/2025-07-30-action-alert-respond-cms-proposals-medicare-clawback-drug-acquisition-survey <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><p>The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, in its <a href="/advisory/2025-07-28-hospital-outpatient-ambulatory-surgical-center-proposed-rule-cy-2026">outpatient prospective payment system proposed rule</a> for calendar year 2026, issued proposals to accelerate the timeline for clawing back funds resulting from the agency’s unlawful policy between calendar years 2018 and 2022, as well as to conduct a drug acquisition survey. Both of these proposals are misguided and should be abandoned.</p><p><strong>The AHA has developed a </strong><a href="/system/files/media/file/2025/07/submit-comments-to-cms-on-opps-proposals.docx"><strong>model letter</strong></a><strong> that hospitals and health systems can use when submitting comments to CMS on these two provisions of the proposed rule.</strong></p><p><strong>These issues affect <u>all hospitals and health systems — not just 340B hospitals.</u></strong></p><p><strong>We therefore strongly encourage all hospitals and health systems to submit their own comments and use the model letter as a guide.</strong> The model comment letter includes sections in which hospitals can add information about how these proposals would impact their organization’s ability to care for patients and communities. It is very important that all hospitals and health systems weigh in on these proposals and submit their own comments.</p><p>All comments must be submitted before <strong>11:59 p.m. ET Sept. 15.</strong> You may submit <a href="https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/CMS-2025-0306-0002">electronic comments here</a>. If you want to submit comments by mail, please follow the <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/17/2025-13360/medicare-and-medicaid-programs-hospital-outpatient-prospective-payment-and-ambulatory-surgical">instructions available here</a>. </p><p>The AHA will submit a detailed comment letter on the proposed rule, including comments on these specific provisions. We will share the AHA letter after it is submitted.</p><h2>FURTHER QUESTIONS</h2><p>If you have questions, please contact Bharath Krishnamurthy, AHA director of health policy and analytics, at <a href="mailto:bkrishnamurthy@aha.org">bkrishnamurthy@aha.org</a> or Chad Golder, AHA general counsel, at <a href="mailto:cgolder@aha.org">cgolder@aha.org</a>.</p></div><div class="col-md-4"><a href="/system/files/media/file/2025/07/action-alert-respond-to-cms-proposals-on-medicare-clawback-drug-acquisition-survey-alert-7-30-2025.pdf" target="_blank" title="Click here to download the Action Alert: Respond to CMS' Proposals on Medicare Clawback, Drug Acquisition Surveys"><img src="/sites/default/files/2025-07/cover-action-alert-respond-to-cms-proposals-on-medicare-clawback-drug-acquisition-survey-alert-7-30-2025_0.png" data-entity-uuid data-entity-type="file" alt="Action Alert: Respond to CMS' Proposals on Medicare Clawback, Drug Acquisition Surveys Cover" width="628" height="812"></a></div></div></div> Wed, 30 Jul 2025 09:00:13 -0500 Action Alert /action-alert/2025-07-28-take-action-engage-lawmakers-august-build-support-key-priorities <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><p>The House of Representatives has left Washington, D.C., for its August district work period, and senators could return to their states as early as next week. It is important to engage with your lawmakers while they are home and discuss the impact that the recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act and additional policy proposals that are under consideration will have on hospitals’ ability to provide care.</p><p>Funding for the federal government, including certain important health care programs, is set to expire Oct. 1. Congress must pass all 12 appropriations bills by Sept. 30 to fund the federal government for the next fiscal year. If lawmakers fail to meet that deadline, they will need to enact a continuing resolution temporarily extending current funding levels to avoid a government shutdown. However, these health care programs including Low-volume Adjustment and Medicare-Dependent Hospital, telehealth and hospital-at-home waivers — as well as prolonging Medicaid DSH cuts from going into effect — are not guaranteed to be extended. Additionally, Congress needs to act before the end of the year to extend the Enhanced Premium Tax Credits. Meanwhile, some legislators are discussing another reconciliation package on deficit reduction efforts. Those efforts could include additional Medicaid and Medicare cuts. It is important that your legislators understand hospitals and health systems cannot sustain any additional cuts, especially as we are facing the implementation of Medicaid cuts in the <a href="/advisory/2025-07-18-detailed-summary-one-big-beautiful-bill-act-obbba-public-law-no-119-21">OBBBA</a>.</p><p>While your lawmakers are home next month, please make plans to visit them in their offices, speak with them at a community event or invite them to your hospital to show them the importance of supporting policies that allow hospitals to provide care to their communities. And share with them the impact that funding reductions would have on your ability to provide services and care for the people they represent.</p><p>The following are some of the top priority issues and resources that can assist you and your team in conversations with your lawmakers.</p><h2>Advocacy Priorities</h2><ul><li><strong>Extend the </strong><a href="/fact-sheets/2025-02-07-fact-sheet-enhanced-premium-tax-credits"><strong>Enhanced Premium Tax Credits</strong></a><strong>.</strong> The Enhanced Premium Tax Credits help individuals and families purchase insurance on the Health Insurance Marketplaces. Policies enabling these credits will expire at the end of 2025. Urge your members of Congress to extend the enhanced premium tax credits that enable millions of people to have health care coverage.</li><li><strong>Reject </strong><a href="/advocacy/advocacy-issues/2023-09-11-advocacy-issue-site-neutral-payment-proposals"><strong>Site-neutral Payments</strong></a><strong>.</strong> Site-neutral payments would compensate hospital outpatient departments the same as independent physician offices and other ambulatory sites of care, ignoring the very different level of care provided by hospitals and the needs of the patients and communities cared for in that setting. Ask your members of Congress to reject efforts to enact additional site-neutral payments proposals.</li><li><strong>Protect the </strong><a href="/fact-sheets/fact-sheet-340b-drug-pricing-program"><strong>340B Drug Pricing Program</strong></a><strong>.</strong> Hospitals depend on the 340B program to manage rising prescription drug costs and expand access to care for patients. Ask your members of Congress to oppose any harmful changes to the 340B program.</li><li><strong>Extend </strong><a href="/fact-sheets/2025-02-07-fact-sheet-telehealth"><strong>Telehealth</strong></a><strong> and </strong><a href="/fact-sheets/2024-08-06-fact-sheet-extending-hospital-home-program"><strong>Hospital-at-home</strong></a><strong> Programs.</strong> These programs enable providers to care for patients at home, without having to make long drives to a facility. These programs are set to expire Sept. 30. Urge your lawmakers to extend these programs so providers can ensure continuity of care.</li><li><strong>Prevent </strong><a href="/advocacy/advocacy-issues/medicaid-dsh-payment-cuts"><strong>Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital</strong></a><strong> Cuts.</strong> The Medicaid DSH program provides essential financial assistance to hospitals that care for our nation’s most vulnerable populations, including children and those who are disabled and elderly. The Medicaid DSH cut for fiscal year 2026 is $8 billion and will go into effect on Oct. 1 unless Congress acts. Urge your lawmakers to provide relief from the Medicaid DSH cuts given the vital need for the program.</li><li><strong>Extend the </strong><a href="/advocacy/advocacy-issues/2024-10-31-advocacy-issue-rural-mdh-and-lva-programs"><strong>Low-volume Adjustment and Medicare-dependent Hospital</strong></a><strong> 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 action from Congress, the enhanced LVA and MDH programs will expire Sept. 30. Urge your lawmakers to extend these vital programs.</li><li><strong>Protect </strong><a href="/fact-sheets/2023-04-19-fact-sheet-workplace-violence-and-intimidation-and-need-federal-legislative-response"><strong>Health Care Workers</strong></a><strong> from Violence.</strong> The Save Healthcare Workers Act (H.R. 3178/S. 1600) is bipartisan legislation (that would make it a federal crime to assault a hospital staff member on the job. Urge your lawmakers to support this legislation.</li></ul><h2>AHA Resources</h2><p>Your voice is extremely important and your legislators listen to you. Be ready to tell your hospital’s story. Prepare for a successful encounter with these <a href="/advocacy/2023-03-07-advocacy-tips-and-best-practices">tips and best practices</a> for meeting with lawmakers and hosting them at your hospital. Visit the <a href="/advocacy/action-center">AHA Action Center</a> for information and resources to assist you in your advocacy.</p><h2>Further Questions</h2><p>If you have further questions, please contact the AHA at <a href="tel:1-800-424-4301">800-424-4301</a>.</p></div><div class="col-md-4"><a href="/system/files/media/file/2025/07/Action-Alert-TAKE-ACTION-Engage-Lawmakers-in-August-to-Build-Support-for-Key-Priorities.pdf" target="_blank" title="Click here to download the Action Alert: TAKE ACTION: Engage Lawmakers in August to Build Support for Key Priorities"><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Page-1-Action-Alert-TAKE-ACTION-Engage-Lawmakers-in-August-to-Build-Support-for-Key-Priorities.png" data-entity-uuid="f8d7fe18-60fc-49cc-9704-cacdc239ac3a" data-entity-type="file" alt="Action Alert: TAKE ACTION: Engage Lawmakers in August to Build Support for Key Priorities page 1." width="695" height="900"></a></div></div></div> Mon, 28 Jul 2025 15:43:12 -0500 Action Alert /action-alert/2025-07-01-senate-passes-budget-reconciliation-bill-house-expected-vote-week <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><p>The Senate today voted 51 to 50, with a deciding vote by Vice President J.D. Vance, to pass its version of the <a href="https://sponsors.aha.org/rs/710-ZLL-651/images/Alert-07012025_FILE_0958.pdf?version=0">budget reconciliation bill</a>. Republican Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, Rand Paul, R-Ky., and Thom Tillis, R-N.C., voted against the final passage. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) contains drastic cuts to the Medicaid program, among other provisions that impact the health care field. The AHA continues to make the case to lawmakers for mitigation as the bill moves through the budget reconciliation process and will provide members with critical updates.</p><p>AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack said in a statement sent to the media, “We are deeply disappointed by today’s vote in the United States Senate to advance the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1). The real-life consequences of these nearly $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts — the largest ever proposed by Congress — will result in irreparable harm to our health care system, reducing access to care for all Americans and severely undermining the ability of hospitals and health systems to care for our most vulnerable patients.</p><p>“This legislation will cause 11.8 million Americans to be displaced from their health care coverage as they move from insured to uninsured status. It also will drive up uncompensated care for hospitals and health systems, which will affect their ability to serve all patients. It will force hospitals to make service line reductions and staff reductions, resulting in longer waiting times in emergency departments and for other essential services, and could ultimately lead to facility closures, especially in rural and underserved areas.</p><p>“We urge the House to mitigate this legislation and protect access to health care for patients and communities.”</p><p>The AHA successfully advocated against an amendment from Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla. Sen. Scott last night withdrew his amendment, which, starting in 2031, would have reduced the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) paid to states that have expanded their Medicaid programs and would have led to a reduction of Medicaid payments to hospitals by $99.2 billion over five years.</p><p>It is anticipated that the House and Senate will not elect to pursue a conference on the bill; therefore, the House is poised to take up the Senate version of the OBBBA. The House Committee on Rules is meeting today to establish the terms and conditions of debate for the vote. House leadership plans to move the bill to the floor tomorrow and hold a vote this week to send the bill to the president for signature by the July 4 holiday.</p><p>The following are highlights of key changes from the <a href="/advisory/2025-06-28-senate-releases-legislative-text-substitute-hr1-one-big-beautiful-bill-act">original text</a> to the OBBBA as passed by the Senate. The AHA will provide a full summary of key provisions impacting the hospital field once the bill is enacted.</p><h2>Key Changes in the OBBBA</h2><ul><li><strong>Provider taxes (Section 71115). </strong>Amends language to include provider taxes levied by units of local government, in addition to states. Additionally, the legislation increases the amount of implementation funding available to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) administrator to $20 million for fiscal year (FY) 2026.</li><li><strong>State-directed payments (Section 71116). </strong>Adds language clarifying that completed preprints for payments can be submitted until enactment and may be grandfathered in at a temporarily higher rate, in addition to those already approved by the Health and Human Services Secretary. Amends the definition<strong> </strong>of the total published Medicare payment rate to the definition provided in section 438.6(a) of title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations or any future regulation that replaces it.</li><li><strong>Rural health transformation program (Section 71401). </strong>Increases the funds available in the rural stabilization fund to $50 billion, to be paid out as $10 billion annually across FYs 2026 through 2030 (two years earlier).</li><li><strong>Modifying cost-sharing requirements for Medicaid expansion enrollees (Section 71120). </strong>Appropriates $15 million to the CMS administrator for FY 2026 to implement the provision.</li><li><strong>Expansion FMAP for emergency Medicaid (Section 71110). </strong>Appropriates $1 million to the CMS administrator for FY 2026 to implement the provision.</li></ul><h2>Provisions No Longer Included in the OBBBA</h2><ul><li><strong>Expansion of FMAP for certain states providing payments for health care services furnished to certain individuals (formerly Section 71111).</strong> Would have lowered the Medicaid expansion FMAP from 90% to 80% for states that choose to provide coverage using the state’s funds to people who are undocumented.</li><li><strong>Prohibiting federal Medicaid and CHIP funding for certain items and services (formerly Section 71114).</strong> Would have prohibited federal Medicaid or CHIP funds from being spent on specified items and services for gender transition purposes.</li><li><strong>Determination of FMAP for high-poverty states (formerly Section 71124).</strong> Would have provided an enhanced FMAP match for certain “high-poverty states” determined annually.</li><li><strong>Application of cost-of-living adjustment to the non-labor-related portion for hospital outpatient department services furnished in Alaska and Hawaii (formerly Section 71204). </strong>Would have provided a cost-of-living adjustment to the non-labor-related portion of hospital outpatient payments in Alaska and Hawaii.</li></ul><h2>Resources</h2><p>The AHA has developed myriad resources for member use. Visit the <a href="/advocacy/advocacy-issues/medicaid">Medicaid Issues page</a> and the <a href="/advocacy/action-center">AHA Action Center</a> for the latest tools and resources.</p><h2>Further Questions</h2><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/2025/07/senate-passes-budget-reconciliation-bill-house-expected-to-vote-this-week-alert-7-1-2025-f.pdf"><img src="/sites/default/files/2025-07/cover-senate-passes-budget-reconciliation-bill-house-expected-to-vote-this-week-alert-7-1-2025.png" data-entity-uuid data-entity-type="file" alt="Action Alert: Senate Passes Budget Reconciliation Bill; House Expected to Vote This Wee" width="NaN" height="NaN"></a></div></div></div> Tue, 01 Jul 2025 13:17:55 -0500 Action Alert /action-alert/2025-06-29-scott-amendment-could-drastically-impact-medicaid-expansion-states <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><p>Senator Rick Scott, R-Fla., is expected to introduce an amendment to the Senate budget reconciliation bill during the vote-a-rama in the coming hours. The amendment would dramatically impact expansion states.</p><p>If approved, the amendment would require, in expansion states, that any Medicaid beneficiary who temporarily loses coverage and reapplies would be enrolled at the traditional Medicaid Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) rather than the 90% federal match rate. <strong>This, along with other Medicaid changes in the Senate bill, would be devastating for Medicaid expansion states’ ability to provide coverage for the millions of Americans on the program and would unfairly penalize low-income workers.</strong></p><p>While the federal government, under the Affordable Care Act, covers 90% of the costs for individuals eligible for Medicaid due to the expansion, the traditional (or regular) FMAP for services used by beneficiaries ranges by state from 50% to 70%. The <a href="/fact-sheets/2025-06-29-estimated-impact-fmap-reduction-90-traditional-result-churn-federal-medicaid-hospital-spending">AHA estimates</a> that this amendment would reduce the federal share of Medicaid payments to hospitals by $198.3 billion over 10 years. Coupled with the $1 trillion in cuts to the Medicaid program already in the Senate budget reconciliation bill, this is simply unsustainable.</p><h2>Contact your senators immediately to urge them to VOTE NO on the Scott amendment.</h2><p>Under the rules, the reconciliation bill is limited to 20 hours of debate, which is expected to begin this afternoon. This is followed by an unlimited amendment period before the final vote. <strong>It is imperative that you contact your senators prior to the start of the amendment period to ensure they do not support the Scott amendment.</strong></p><p><strong>WE URGE YOU TO PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR HOSPITAL DATA AND IMPACTS AS PART OF YOUR ADVOCACY.</strong> Use the background information below to assist in your advocacy efforts.</p><h2>Background</h2><p>The proposal would require that any Medicaid expansion population beneficiary who drops off the rolls and then later reapplies for Medicaid coverage only be eligible for coverage at the state’s traditional match rate instead of the 90% match rate.</p><ul><li>There can be significant “churn” in the Medicaid program, as low-income individuals cycle on and off the program. This policy will have a massive impact on the expansion states’ programs.<ul><li>People can move off and on to the program due to fluctuating household incomes and difficulties navigating the Medicaid renewal process.<ul><li>Many low-income individuals experience income volatility due to hourly or seasonal work, making them temporarily ineligible for Medicaid when their income rises, even if it fluctuates back down.</li><li>Renewal procedures and reporting requirements can lead to disenrollment even for those who remain eligible for the program.</li></ul></li><li>Policies that are part of the Senate package — including community engagement requirements in expansion states, increased redetermination of eligibility checks, and preventing the eligibility and enrollment rules from going into effect — will likely lead to many Medicaid beneficiaries cycling off the program, and then later requalifying for it.</li></ul></li><li>The hospitals in expansion states will also be negatively impacted, and this is on top of absorbing the nearly $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts that are part of the underlying package.<ul><li>The provider tax and state-directed payment provisions alone cut $340 billion from the program, which are direct hits to how Medicaid programs are financed and providers are reimbursed.</li><li>The policy lowering the FMAP from 90% to traditional match would result in an additional $198.3 billion hit to hospitals over 10 years.</li></ul></li><li>When coupled with all the other Medicaid changes in the bill, this policy is unsustainable for Medicaid expansion states and the hospitals serving patients in those states.</li><li>This change in policy will most impact low-income workers, many of whom are Trump supporters, and who rely on the Medicaid program for their health insurance.</li></ul><p>Visit the <a href="/advocacy/advocacy-issues/medicaid">AHA Action Center Medicaid Issues</a> page for resources to support your advocacy. <strong>Don’t wait, contact your lawmakers now.</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. If you have further questions, please contact the AHA at <a href="tel:1-800-424-4301">800-424-4301</a>.</p></div><div class="col-md-4"><div class="sticky"><p><a href="/system/files/media/file/2025/06/Sen-Scott-Amendment-Could-Drastically-Impact-Medicaid-Expansion-States.pdf" target="_blank" title="Click here to download the Action Alert: Sen. Scott Amendment Could Drastically Impact Medicaid Expansion States; Urge Senators to Vote No on the Scott Amendment PDF."><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Page-1-Sen-Scott-Amendment-Could-Drastically-Impact-Medicaid-Expansion-States.png" data-entity-uuid="5ebcf109-5b22-4fd1-8267-6c37f8486fe3" data-entity-type="file" alt="Action Alert: Sen. Scott Amendment Could Drastically Impact Medicaid Expansion States; Urge Senators to Vote No on the Scott Amendment page 1." width="696" height="900"></a></p></div></div></div></div> div.sticky { position: sticky; top: 0; } Sun, 29 Jun 2025 15:29:22 -0500 Action Alert /action-alert/2025-06-28-time-act-now-contact-senate-and-house-lawmakers-today <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><p>The Senate version of the budget reconciliation bill proposes even GREATER CUTS to the Medicaid program than the House bill. See the AHA’s <a href="/system/files/media/file/2025/06/senate-releases-legislative-text-for-substitute-to-hr-1-the-one-big-beautiful-bill-act-advisory-6-28-2025.pdf">Legislative Advisory</a> with key highlights from the Senate version and the AHA’s <a href="/press-releases/2025-06-28-aha-statement-senate-reconciliation-package">statement</a>.</p><p><strong><u>The reconciliation process is not over yet.</u> </strong>There is still time to contact your lawmakers. Under the rules, the reconciliation bill is limited to 20 hours of debate followed by unlimited amendments prior to the final vote. There will also be a process for a final amendment that could provide the opportunity for additional changes. The Senate bill will be sent back to the House for their final vote. This could provide another opportunity for changes.</p><p class="text-align-center"><span><strong>Don’t wait!</strong></span></p><p>Ask your senators and representatives to <strong>protect Medicaid and access to health care and services</strong> in your community.</p><p>Advocate to your Republican senators to<strong> reject the additional cuts in the Senate reconciliation bill, </strong>especially as related to provider taxes and state-directed payments.</p><p>Equally important, <strong>tell your Republican House members, who could still have significant influence over the final product, to oppose the current Senate changes to provider taxes and state-directed payments.</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Share with your lawmakers the impact of these proposals on your hospital’s ability to care for patients.</strong></li><li><strong>Urge the Senate and House to reject the harmful Senate changes to provider tax rates and state-directed payments</strong>.</li></ul><h2>Medicaid Resources</h2><p><strong>Explain that Medicaid is vital to your communities.</strong> Use the following AHA resources in your advocacy efforts and find more tools and resources on the <a href="/advocacy/advocacy-issues/medicaid">Medicaid Issues page</a>.</p><ul><li><a href="/fact-sheets/2025-06-05-medicaid-spending-reductions-would-lead-losses-jobs-economic-activity-and-tax-revenue-states">Medicaid Spending Reductions Would Lead to Losses in Jobs, Economic Activity and Tax Revenue for States</a>.</li><li><a href="/fact-sheets/2025-06-05-medicaid-spending-reductions-would-lead-losses-jobs-economic-activity-and-tax-revenue-states">Medicaid Coverage Supports Rural Patients, Hospitals and Communities</a>.</li><li><a href="/fact-sheets/2025-06-13-rural-hospitals-risk-cuts-medicaid-would-further-threaten-access">Rural Hospitals at Risk: Cuts to Medicaid Would Further Threaten Access</a>.</li><li><a href="/fact-sheets/2025-04-14-whats-stake-medicaid-covers-people-you-know">What’s at Stake: Medicaid Covers the People You Know</a>.</li><li><a href="/infographics/2025-05-07-infographic-4-things-you-should-know-about-medicaid-provider-taxes-and-payments">4 Things You Should Know About the Medicaid Provider Taxes and Payments</a>.</li><li><a href="/fact-sheets/2025-04-14-protect-access-care-reject-cuts-medicaid-program-and-premium-hikes-working-families">Protect Access to Care: Reject Cuts to the Medicaid Program and Premium Hikes on Working Families</a>.</li><li><a href="/issue-brief/2025-05-01-state-infographics-whats-stake-medicaid-covers-people-you-know">State Infographics: What’s at Stake</a>.</li></ul><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/time-to-act-is-now-contact-senate-and-house-lawmakers-today-alert-6-28-2025.pdf"><img src="/sites/default/files/2025-06/cover-time-to-act-is-now-contact-senate-and-house-lawmakers-today-alert-6-28-2025.png" data-entity-uuid data-entity-type="file" alt="Action Alert: TIME TO ACT IS NOW: Contact Senate and House Lawmakers Today" width="NaN" height="NaN"></a></div></div></div> Sat, 28 Jun 2025 10:32:01 -0500 Action Alert /action-alert/2025-06-20-urgent-senate-budget-reconciliation-vote-expected-next-week-contact-senate-and-house-lawmakers-today <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><p>The Senate draft <a href="https://www.finance.senate.gov/chairmans-news/chairman-crapo-releases-finance-committee-reconciliation-text">budget reconciliation bill</a> is expected to be introduced for a vote by mid-week. <strong>The time to act is now.</strong></p><p><span><strong>Call your Republican senators and representatives today</strong></span><strong>. Please urge your lawmakers </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. While the bill is currently pending in the Senate, we must reengage our advocacy efforts with House Republicans as well.</strong></p><p>As the AHA has <a href="/advisory/2025-06-16-senate-finance-committee-releases-legislative-text-reconciliation-bill">shared previously</a>, the Senate version of the budget reconciliation bill proposes even greater cuts to the Medicaid program, among other provisions, than the House bill. The <a href="/advisory/2025-05-22-aha-summary-one-big-beautiful-bill-acts-provisions-impacting-hospitals-and-health-systems">House-passed version of the bill</a> would lead to more than <strong>10.9 million people losing Medicaid coverage.</strong></p><p>Next week, the Senate is expected to consider its draft budget reconciliation bill. Under the rules, the reconciliation bill is limited to 20 hours of debate followed by unlimited amendments prior to the final vote.</p><p><strong>There is speculation that even more harmful Medicaid provisions could be included in the bill.</strong> We will alert you to any further developments. The Senate may send the bill back to the House before the July 4 recess and could attempt to force the House to support the Senate bill without changes as the final option for a budget reconciliation.</p><p><span><strong>Don’t wait! Ask your senators and representatives to protect Medicaid and access to health care and services in your community. Advocate to your Republican senators to oppose the Senate reconciliation bill as drafted related to provider taxes and state-directed payments. Equally important, tell your Republican House members, who could still have significant influence over the final product, to oppose the current Senate changes to provider taxes and state-directed payments.</strong></span></p><ul><li>Share with your lawmakers the impact of these proposals on your hospital’s ability to care for patients</li><li>Urge the Senate and House to reject the harmful changes to provider tax rates and state-directed payments.</li><li>Ensure senators and representatives 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.</li></ul><h2>MEDICAID RESOURCES</h2><p><strong>Explain that Medicaid is vital to your communities.</strong> Use the following AHA resources in your advocacy efforts and find more tools and resources on the <a href="/advocacy/advocacy-issues/medicaid">Medicaid Issues page</a>.</p><ul><li><a href="/fact-sheets/2025-06-05-medicaid-spending-reductions-would-lead-losses-jobs-economic-activity-and-tax-revenue-states">Medicaid Spending Reductions Would Lead to Losses in Jobs, Economic Activity and Tax Revenue for States</a></li><li><a href="/fact-sheets/2025-06-05-medicaid-spending-reductions-would-lead-losses-jobs-economic-activity-and-tax-revenue-states">Medicaid Coverage Supports Rural Patients, Hospitals and Communities</a></li><li><a href="/fact-sheets/2025-06-13-rural-hospitals-risk-cuts-medicaid-would-further-threaten-access">Rural Hospitals at Risk: Cuts to Medicaid Would Further Threaten Access</a></li><li><a href="/fact-sheets/2025-04-14-whats-stake-medicaid-covers-people-you-know">What’s at Stake: Medicaid Covers the People You Know</a></li><li><a href="/infographics/2025-05-07-infographic-4-things-you-should-know-about-medicaid-provider-taxes-and-payments">4 Things You Should Know About the Medicaid Provider Taxes and Payments</a></li><li><a href="/fact-sheets/2025-04-14-protect-access-care-reject-cuts-medicaid-program-and-premium-hikes-working-families">Protect Access to Care: Reject Cuts to the Medicaid Program and Premium Hikes on Working Families</a></li><li><a href="/issue-brief/2025-05-01-state-infographics-whats-stake-medicaid-covers-people-you-know">State Infographics: What’s at Stake</a></li></ul><h2>HEALTH INSURANCE MARKETPLACE</h2><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>Fact Sheet.</strong> The AHA has developed a resource showing how<strong> </strong><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><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/urgent-senate-budget-reconciliation-vote-expected-next-week-contact-senate-and-house-lawmakers-today-alert-6-20-2025.pdf"><img src="/sites/default/files/2025-06/cover-urgent-senate-budget-reconciliation-vote-expected-next-week-contact-senate-and-house-lawmakers-today-alert-6-20-2025-f.png" data-entity-uuid data-entity-type="file" alt="Action Alert: URGENT: Senate Budget Reconciliation Vote Expected Next Week; Contact Senate and House Lawmakers Today" width="NaN" height="NaN"></a></div></div></div> Fri, 20 Jun 2025 13:12:15 -0500 Action Alert /action-alert/2025-06-17-act-now-ask-your-lawmakers-protect-medicaid-and-access-care <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><p>The AHA today hosted an in-person and virtual Advocacy Day for more than 250 members to hear the latest details of the budget reconciliation bill making its way through Congress. Meanwhile, AHA members across the country are reaching out to their lawmakers this week, both in Washington, D.C., and in their home states, to deliver key messages on the impact of the proposals in the House and Senate versions of the budget reconciliation draft legislation.</p><p>The Senate Finance Committee June 16 <a href="https://www.finance.senate.gov/chairmans-news/chairman-crapo-releases-finance-committee-reconciliation-text">released draft text</a> of its portion of the Senate version of the budget reconciliation bill. The committee has jurisdiction over Medicaid and taxes. <strong>See the AHA’s </strong><a href="/advisory/2025-06-16-senate-finance-committee-releases-legislative-text-reconciliation-bill"><strong>Legislative Advisory</strong></a><strong> with key summaries of the provisions in the committee’s proposed legislation.</strong></p><p>The Senate Finance Committee, other key Senate committees, Senate leaders and others are proposing changes to the House version of the bill. 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.</p><p>The chamber aims to have the bill ready for a vote on the Senate floor next week and pass it back to the House before the July 4 holiday.</p><p><strong>Don’t wait! As the Senate begins debating the draft legislation in advance of an expected vote mid-week, ask your senators to protect Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act coverage gains, and access to health care and services in your community.</strong></p><ul><li>Share with your senators the impact of these proposals on your hospital’s ability to care for patients.</li><li>Ensure 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.</li><li>Urge the Senate not to make additional harmful changes to provider tax rates and state-directed payments.</li></ul><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>Medicaid Resources</h2><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>Fact Sheets and Infographics.</strong> The AHA has developed a series of fact sheets and infographics to inform your advocacy efforts. These include a <a href="/fact-sheets/2025-06-05-medicaid-spending-reductions-would-lead-losses-jobs-economic-activity-and-tax-revenue-states">resource showing statewide impacts</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">fact sheet on how Medicaid supports rural</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>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><h2>Health Insurance Marketplace</h2><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">extend the enhanced premium tax credits</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>Fact Sheet.</strong> The AHA has developed a resource showing how <a href="/fact-sheets/2025-06-05-fact-sheet-one-big-beautiful-bill-act-would-significantly-reduce-availability-coverage-health-insurance">proposed changes to the Affordable Care Act marketplaces</a><strong> </strong>would lead to millions of people losing their coverage.</li></ul><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-lawmakers-to-protect-medicaid-and-access-to-care-alert-6-17-2025.pdf"><img src="/sites/default/files/2025-06/cover-act-now-ask-your-lawmakers-to-protect-medicaid-and-access-to-care-alert-6-17-2025.png" data-entity-uuid data-entity-type="file" alt="Action Alert: Act Now: Ask Your Lawmakers to Protect Medicaid and Access to Care" width="NaN" height="NaN"></a></div></div></div> Tue, 17 Jun 2025 14:24:49 -0500 Action Alert /action-alert/2025-06-08-act-now-ask-your-senators-protect-medicaid-payment-rates-reconciliation-package <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 /action-alert/2025-06-05-act-now-ask-your-senators-protect-medicaid-and-access-care <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 /2025-05-12-urgent-contact-your-members-congress-protect-medicaid <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><h2>Further Questions</h2><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