/ en Thu, 01 May 2025 00:23:22 -0500 Mon, 14 Apr 25 12:15:37 -0500 <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 Member Non-Fed <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><p>Congress continues to consider policies and proposals that would impact hospital funding for patient care. In the coming weeks, Congress must act to fund the government with the current continuing resolution set to expire on March 14 and ensure long-term stability for critical health care programs also expiring soon, including:</p><ul><li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2020/02/fact-sheet-medicaid-dsh-0120.pdf">Medicaid disproportionate share hospital</a> program cuts that take effect April 1.</li><li><a href="/fact-sheets/2022-08-30-fact-sheet-rural-hospital-support-act-s4009-assistance-rural-community">Enhanced low-volume adjustment and Medicare-dependent hospital</a> programs expiring April 1.</li><li><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 waivers</a> that were extended through March 31.</li></ul><p>At the same time, the Senate and House continue to move forward with their <a href="/issue-landing-page/2025-02-07-budget-reconciliation-process-resource-page">budget reconciliation frameworks</a>, bringing Congress closer to a full reconciliation package that would have significant implications for hospitals.</p><p><strong>Hospital and health system leaders can </strong><a href="https://forms.office.com/r/4j1bpiayvP" target="_blank"><strong>register</strong></a><strong> for a March 4 AHA Advocacy Day event in Washington, D.C.</strong> AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack and other AHA leaders will provide a briefing on the current congressional landscape and share key messages that they can deliver to their representatives and senators on Capitol Hill. <strong>This event is for AHA members only.</strong></p><p><strong>If you cannot make it to Washington, the AHA will virtually broadcast a live briefing for AHA members beginning at 10 a.m. ET. Please </strong><a href="http://aha.windrosemedia.com/" target="_blank"><strong>register for the virtual session</strong></a><strong>. You must register in advance to participate in the briefing.</strong></p><p>Please see our recent <a href="/action-center">AHA Action Alert</a> for our key advocacy messages and resources that can assist you in conversations with your lawmakers.</p><h2>Coalition Advertising Campaign, Resources to Protect Medicaid</h2><p>House and Senate Republicans are attempting to use the budget reconciliation process 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. 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.</p><p><strong>The </strong><a href="https://strengthenhealthcare.org/" target="_blank"><strong>Coalition to Strengthen America’s Healthcare</strong></a><strong>, of which the AHA is a founding member, has launched a multimedia advertising campaign, highlighting the value of Medicaid coverage for everyday Americans.</strong> The ad campaign includes a new <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRVxw6uJ2sc" target="_blank">television commercial</a> warning of potentially devastating cuts to Medicaid and urging Congress to protect Medicaid and ensure access to care for patients. The commercial will be running on TV nationally, in Washington, D.C., and other targeted markets. The ad campaign also includes digital targeting of key elected officials as well as publications inside the Beltway and influential new media outlets.</p><p>In addition to the advertising campaign, the Coalition has developed and shared digital resources that hospitals and health systems can use as part of their advocacy efforts to protect Medicaid. <strong>See the </strong><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BRNuvabV4VqmE5lPufY2EFML5pL7wGwNxhVzs9SvitQ/edit?tab=t.0" target="_blank"><strong>Coalition resources</strong></a><strong> and </strong><a href="https://strengthenhealthcare.org/" target="_blank"><strong>website</strong></a><strong> for more details.</strong></p><h2>Further Questions</h2><p>For questions on the March 4 Advocacy Day, please contact Monica Day at <a href="mailto:mday@aha.org?subject=RE: March 4 Advocacy Day">mday@aha.org</a>. For questions on the Coalition advertising campaign or resources, please contact Kristina Weger, executive director of the Coalition, at <a href="mailto:kweger@aha.org?subject=RE: Coalition advertising campaign and resources">kweger@aha.org</a>.</p></div><div class="col-md-4"><p><a href="/system/files/media/file/2025/02/Special-Bulletin-Register-for-March-4-AHA-Advocacy-Day-in-Washington-DC-New-Resources-to-Protect-Medicaid.pdf" target="_blank" title="Special Bulletin: Register for March 4 AHA Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C.; New Resources to Protect Medicaid PDF"><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Page-1-Special-Bulletin-Register-for-March-4-AHA-Advocacy-Day-in-Washington-DC-New-Resources-to-Protect-Medicaid.png" data-entity-uuid="7d9fa957-7044-4fe0-b941-3b27e8cbd405" data-entity-type="file" alt="Special Bulletin: Register for March 4 AHA Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C.; New Resources to Protect Medicaid PDF page 1." width="695" height="900"></a></p></div></div></div> Tue, 25 Feb 2025 06:00:00 -0600 Member Non-Fed <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 Member Non-Fed <p>The House by a vote of 366-34 today passed the American Relief Act (<a href="https://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20241216/ARA%2012.20.pdf" target="_blank" title="docs.house.gov: H.R. 10545">H.R. 10545</a>), a bill to fund the government through March 14, 2025, provide disaster relief and farm aid, and extend for three months a number of critical programs for hospitals and health systems. The Senate is expected to vote on the bill later tonight. In light of the overwhelming bipartisan support and signals of support from the Administration, it is highly likely the Senate will favorably consider the package. The AHA will provide updates accordingly.</p><h2>Key Highlights</h2><p>The bill contains provisions:</p><ul><li>Preventing cuts in Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital payments.</li><li>Extending critical rural Medicare programs.</li><li>Extending telehealth and hospital-at-home programs.</li></ul><h2>AHA Take</h2><p>The AHA appreciates the bipartisan effort to fund the government and extend these critical health care policies for three months to support hospitals’ efforts to care for patients and communities. We thank Congress for their support and look forward to our continued work to ensure hospitals and health systems have the resources they need to advance health for patients and communities.</p><h2>Medicaid and Medicare</h2><h3>Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) Relief</h3><p>The bill eliminates the Medicaid DSH cuts through April 1, 2025.</p><h3>Medicare Rural Extenders</h3><p>The bill will extend the enhanced low-volume adjustment and the Medicare-dependent hospital programs through April 1, 2025. They were set to expire Dec. 31, 2024.</p><h3>Medicare Telehealth and Hospital-at-home Extensions</h3><p>The bill will extend key telehealth waivers and the hospital-at-home program through March 31, 2025. They were set to expire Dec. 31, 2024.</p><h3>Extension of the Work Geographic Index Floor under the Medicare Program</h3><p>The bill will extend a 1.0 floor on the work Geographic Practice Cost Index (GPCI) through April 1, 2025. This was scheduled to expire Dec. 31, 2024.</p><h3>Medicare Rural Ambulance</h3><p>The bill will extend add-on payments for ambulance services through March 31, 2025. These add-on payments support rural, “super-rural,” and urban ambulance services. They were set to expire Dec. 31, 2024.</p><h2>Other Items of Interest</h2><h3>PAYGO Sequester</h3><p>Under PAYGO requirements, Congress must pay for any legislative package, either by reducing entitlement spending or increasing revenue. The legislation would waive PAYGO reductions by “wiping the scorecard clean,” preventing a 4% Medicare sequester cut from taking effect in January.</p><h3>Disaster Relief</h3><p>The bill provides $29 billion to the Federal Emergency Management Agency Disaster Relief Fund.</p><h2>Offsets</h2><p>The health care portion of the bill includes the following offset.</p><h3>Medicare Improvement Fund</h3><p>The bill reduces the amount of funding in the Medicare Improvement Fund from $3.197 billion to $1.241 billion.</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> Sat, 21 Dec 2024 08:06:22 -0600 Member Non-Fed <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 Member Non-Fed <p>AHA members can watch a replay of the November 18 webcast during which AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack, AHA Executive Vice President of Government Relations and Public Policy Stacey Hughes and other experts discussed what the end of the year looks like on Capitol Hill, as well as the big health care issues the new Congress and Administration will focus on in 2025.</p><hr> Thu, 21 Nov 2024 08:55:00 -0600 Member Non-Fed <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><p>Lawmakers have returned to Washington for three weeks to consider government funding, which expires Oct. 1. Congress must pass a continuing resolution (CR) by Sept. 30 to avoid a government shutdown. Leading into the election, lawmakers will return to their home districts but return to Washington in November 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>During the next few weeks and again following the election, the field needs to engage with members of Congress to remind them of the importance of preserving access to care by continuing to fund vital programs and avoid 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., hospital and health system leaders must reinforce these important 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>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 and AHA Resources</h2><h3>Prevent Damaging Cuts to Hospitals</h3><p>The <a href="g/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. <strong>Congress should provide relief from the Medicaid DSH cuts.</strong></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. <strong>Congress should extend or make these critical rural programs permanent.</strong> 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><h3><a href="/issue-landing-page/2023-09-11-advocacy-issue-site-neutral-payment-proposals"><span><u>Reject So-called Site-neutral Payment Proposals</u></span></a></h3><p>When Congress returns from recess, AHA expects to see continued efforts to push proposals that would enact additional site-neutral payment cuts. <strong>Urge your lawmakers to oppose any site-neutral payment proposal</strong> 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><h3>Hold Commercial Health Plans Accountable</h3><p>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 and implement a comprehensive simplification agenda, beginning with streamlining prior authorization requirements and processes and monitoring for abusive payment delays and denials. <strong>Urge Congress to pass the </strong><a href="/lettercomment/2024-06-12-aha-support-house-improving-seniors-timely-access-care-act"><strong>Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act</strong></a><strong> — bipartisan legislation that would streamline the prior authorization process in the Medicare Advantage program.</strong></p><h3>Permanently Adopt <a href="/system/files/media/file/2024/05/fact-sheet-2024-telehealth-advocacy-agenda.pdf"><span><u>Telehealth</u></span></a> and <a href="/system/files/media/file/2024/07/Fact-Sheet-Extending-the-Hospital-at-Home-Program-20240719.pdf"><span><u>Hospital-At-Home</u></span></a> Waivers</h3><p>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. <strong>Congress should permanently adopt telehealth waivers and expand the telehealth workforce.</strong></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. <strong>Urge Congress to pass the Hospital Inpatient Services Modernization Act (</strong><a href="/lettercomment/2024-05-23-aha-support-house-bill-hospital-inpatient-services-modernization-act-2024"><strong>H.R. 8260/S. 4350</strong></a><strong>), extending the hospital-at-home waiver for five years through 2029.</strong> The current waiver is set to expire Dec. 31, 2024.</p><h3>Protect America’s Health Care Workers</h3><p>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. <strong>Urge your lawmakers to cosponsor the bipartisan SAVE Act.</strong></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 <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/2024/09/ACTION-NEEDED-Contact-Lawmakers-Now-on-Important-Issues-Facing-Hospitals-and-Health-Systems.pdf" target="_blank" title="Click here to download the Action Alert ACTION NEEDED: Contact Lawmakers Now on Important Issues Facing Hospitals and Health Systems PDF."><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Page-1-ACTION-NEEDED-Contact-Lawmakers-Now-on-Important-Issues-Facing-Hospitals-and-Health-Systemsf.png" data-entity-uuid="2e8c2f84-9dc6-4e48-83ce-2eba6ca54423" data-entity-type="file" alt="ACTION NEEDED: Contact Lawmakers Now on Important Issues Facing Hospitals and Health Systems page 1." width="696" height="900"></a></p></div></div></div> Mon, 09 Sep 2024 16:30:00 -0500 Member Non-Fed Thu, 29 Aug 2024 15:16:09 -0500 Member Non-Fed <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><p><span><strong>July 2024.</strong></span></p><p><strong>Since going into effect, CMS has made several changes to the Hospital Price Transparency Rule requirements on hospitals.</strong> The most recent set of changes, including requiring hospitals to use a standard machine-readable file format, go into effect July 1, 2024. There are many resources available to help hospitals comply.</p><p><a href="/system/files/media/file/2024/07/2024-Hospital-Price-Transparency-Graphic-Horizontal.pdf" target="_blank" title="Click here to download the Hospital Price Transparency Rule Updates PDF."><span><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Hospital-Price-Transparency-Rule-Updates-Page-1.png" data-entity-uuid="d89e51f6-7321-4014-b535-0b909f49a770" data-entity-type="file" alt="Hospital Price Transparency Rule Updates page 1. July 2024. Since going into effect, CMS has made several changes to the Hospital Price Transparency Rule requirements on hospitals. The most recent set of changes, including requiring hospitals to use a standard machine-readable file format, go into effect July 1, 2024. There are many resources available to help hospitals comply." width="900" height="695"></span></a></p><p><a href="/system/files/media/file/2024/07/2024-Hospital-Price-Transparency-Graphic-Horizontal.pdf" target="_blank" title="Click here to download the Hospital Price Transparency Rule Updates PDF."><span><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Hospital-Price-Transparency-Rule-Updates-Page-2.png" data-entity-uuid="e459bd0d-701f-47eb-8f63-38afdf790a81" data-entity-type="file" alt="Hospital Price Transparency Rule Updates page 2. July 2024. Since going into effect, CMS has made several changes to the Hospital Price Transparency Rule requirements on hospitals. The most recent set of changes, including requiring hospitals to use a standard machine-readable file format, go into effect July 1, 2024. There are many resources available to help hospitals comply." width="900" height="695"></span></a></p><p><a href="/system/files/media/file/2024/07/2024-Hospital-Price-Transparency-Graphic-Horizontal.pdf" target="_blank" title="Click here to download the Hospital Price Transparency Rule Updates PDF."><span><strong>Download the Hospital Price Transparency Rule Updates PDF.</strong></span></a></p></div><div class="col-md-4"><div class="external-link spacer"><a class="btn btn-wide btn-primary" href="/system/files/media/file/2024/07/2024-Hospital-Price-Transparency-Graphic-Horizontal.pdf" target="_blank" title="Click here to download the Hospital Price Transparency Rule Updates PDF.">Download the Hospital Price Transparency Rule Updates PDF</a></div><p><a href="/system/files/media/file/2024/07/2024-Hospital-Price-Transparency-Graphic-Horizontal.pdf" target="_blank" title="Click here to download the Hospital Price Transparency Rule Updates PDF."><span><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Hospital-Price-Transparency-Rule-Updates-Page-1.png" data-entity-uuid="d89e51f6-7321-4014-b535-0b909f49a770" data-entity-type="file" alt="Hospital Price Transparency Rule Updates page 1. July 2024. Since going into effect, CMS has made several changes to the Hospital Price Transparency Rule requirements on hospitals. The most recent set of changes, including requiring hospitals to use a standard machine-readable file format, go into effect July 1, 2024. There are many resources available to help hospitals comply." width="900" height="695"></span></a></p></div></div></div> Tue, 09 Jul 2024 15:32:11 -0500 Member Non-Fed <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><p>The House Energy and Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations (O&I) June 4 will host a hearing titled, <a href="https://energycommerce.house.gov/posts/chairs-rodgers-and-griffith-announce-oversight-hearing-on-the-340-b-program" target="_blank">“Oversight of 340B Drug Pricing Program.”</a> You are receiving this Alert because your representative sits on the <a href="https://energycommerce.house.gov/committees/subcommittee/oversight-investigations" target="_blank">O&I Subcommittee</a> or the <a href="https://energycommerce.house.gov/representatives" target="_blank">full Committee on Energy and Commerce</a>.</p><h2>Take Action</h2><p><strong>Please contact your Energy and Commerce member before the June 4 hearing and share with them the importance of the 340B program and how it helps your hospital care for the patients and communities you serve.</strong> Please explain how the program allows your hospital to stretch limited federal resources to reduce the price of outpatient pharmaceuticals for patients and expand access to health services to the patients and communities they represent. It is important that your representative hears from you before the hearing as opponents of the program continue to push for harmful changes to the program.</p><h2>AHA Resources</h2><p>The AHA has a number of resources that you can share with your lawmakers and can assist you with your advocacy efforts. These include:</p><ul><li>A <a href="/system/files/media/file/2023/05/the-340b-program-how-it-delivers-value-to-patients-and-providers.pdf">report</a> highlighting key aspects of the 340B program, including its history, how it works, and the value it provides to hospitals and their patients.</li><li>A <a href="/system/files/2018-04/340BFactvsFiction.pdf">fact v. fiction document</a> about the 340B program.</li><li>A <a href="/guidesreports/2024-03-12-340b-drug-pricing-program">recent report</a> examining discounts to 340B hospitals through the 340B program relative to drug company revenues and revenue growth. The report demonstrates that while the 340B program has grown, it remains a very small share of drug company revenues. At the same time, this growth has allowed 340B hospitals to provide more care to more patients just as Congress intended when it established the program over 30 years ago.</li></ul><h2>Further Questions</h2><p>If you have further questions, please contact Aimee Kuhlman, vice president of president federal relations and grassroots advocacy, at <a href="mailto:akuhlman@aha.org?subject=RE: Action Alert: Contact your Representative Prior to June 4 House Subcommittee Hearing on 340B">akuhlman@aha.org</a>.</p></div><div class="col-md-4"><p><a href="/system/files/media/file/2024/05/Action-Alert-Contact-Your-Representative-Prior-to-June-4-House-Subcommittee-Hearing-on-340B.pdf" target="_blank" title="Click here to download the Action Alert: Contact your Representative Prior to June 4 House Subcommittee Hearing on 340B PDF."><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Action-Alert-Contact-Your-Representative-Prior-to-June-4-House-Subcommittee-Hearing-on-340B.png" data-entity-uuid="c06fd6b2-a046-48e9-b5f2-0cd8b079d324" data-entity-type="file" alt="Action Alert: Contact your Representative Prior to June 4 House Subcommittee Hearing on 340B" width="695" height="900"></a></p></div></div></div> Wed, 29 May 2024 14:12:17 -0500 Member Non-Fed