Access & Health Coverage

Access & Health Coverage / en Sat, 14 Jun 2025 15:46:24 -0500 Wed, 11 Jun 25 14:38:10 -0500 Uniting to Protect Access to Care /news/perspective/2025-06-11-uniting-protect-access-care The fate of the Trump administration’s legislative centerpiece — the One Big Beautiful Bill Act — continues to be the focal point in Washington, D.C.After the bill’s narrow passage in the House, the Senate is working to put its own stamp on the reconciliation package, which encompasses policy changes on taxes, border security, energy and deficit reduction, including significant changes and cuts to Medicaid and other health care programs. Republicans are aiming to have the legislation through the Senate by the July 4 congressional recess; however, any changes made by the Senate would have to go back to the House for approval.We continue to express concern about the harmful Medicaid and Health Insurance Marketplace provisions included in the House-passed bill, which would cut more than $800 billion from health care programs and result in almost 11 million people losing health care coverage. These cuts will strain already overburdened hospitals and emergency departments as they become the family doctor for millions of newly uninsured Americans, which makes care less accessible for everyone. They also would also set off a damaging ripple effect of job and economic losses as hospitals and communities struggle to manage under the weight of these cuts. Moreover, these payment reductions will simply become an additional “hidden tax” on other purchasers of health care services.In particular, we also continue to be focused like a laser beam on ensuring the preservation of legitimate provider tax and supplemental payment programs, which serve as patches to help finance a chronically underfunded Medicaid program.&nbsp;The notion that these programs represent waste and fraud are far from the truth, as they operate within federal guidelines and are approved by state governments and by both Democratic and Republican administrations, including the Trump administration.&nbsp;Yet even with these financing mechanisms, Medicaid payments to providers are less than the cost of caring.The Senate Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction over taxes and Medicaid, as soon as this week could release its legislative text, and there have been some discussions about additional restrictions on Medicaid state directed payments and provider taxes. This would further exacerbate the chronic underpayment for Medicaid services and threaten access to care for all patients in communities across the country.We continue to pull all levers to limit the scope and magnitude of health care reductions contained in this package. We have been meeting with senators and their staff to explain the devastating effects some of the policy changes under consideration would have on the people and communities they represent.Meanwhile, the AHA is running targeted advertising using multiple platforms, including digital, social and traditional media, urging Congress to protect Medicaid and access to care. At the same time, the <a href="https://strengthenhealthcare.org/" title="Coalition to Strengthen America&apos;s Healthcare">Coalition to Strengthen America’s Healthcare</a>, of which the AHA is a founding member, is running ads on TV, podcasts, radio, newsletters and other digital platforms targeted at key senators and influencers. The Coalition also is engaging its grassroots supporters, and since February, the Coalition has generated more than 400,000 letters to Congress about the importance of Medicaid.On Tuesday, June 17, we will host an Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C., during which our team will provide the latest updates on the reconciliation bill before hospital and health system leaders meet with their lawmakers. on Capitol Hill. If you cannot be in <a href="https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=QJMRube-Xk6EsjzBj3s2pnUzMzymJWtHjxrQd2BoFRpUNDNVUkdGWjYyRlJJTUNUVU8wWjVBNTRNWC4u&amp;route=shorturl">Washington</a>, AHA members can register<a href="https://aha-advocacy.ispresenting.live/register/" title="Register to attend virtually for AHA Advocacy Day"> </a>to participate in the event virtually.In addition, we continue to produce <a href="/advocacy/advocacy-issues/medicaid" title="new resources">new resources</a>, including how the bill’s Medicaid reductions could lead to job and <a href="/fact-sheets/2025-06-05-medicaid-spending-reductions-would-lead-losses-jobs-economic-activity-and-tax-revenue-states" title="Medicaid Spending Fact Sheet">economic losses in states</a>, as well as why Medicaid is so important to <a href="/fact-sheets/2025-06-05-medicaid-coverage-supports-rural-patients-hospitals-and-communities" title="Medicaid Supports rural hospitals and communities">rural hospitals and communities</a>. We also are running a <a href="/advocacy/advocacy-issues/medicaid" title="Medicaid video series">video series</a> in which hospital and health system leaders share the importance of Medicaid and how drastic cuts would impact access to care for their patients and communities.We’re at a critical juncture.&nbsp;It’s so important for hospital leaders, patients and community members to <a href="/2020-10-07-get-involved" title="Contact your Senators">weigh in now with your senators</a> and tell them “Don’t Cut Hospital Care.” Your stories have the most impact with your lawmakers, and now is the time to tell them. Wed, 11 Jun 2025 14:38:10 -0500 Access & Health Coverage Accessible and Affordable Resources | Care Transformation Framework: Foundational Principles /care-delivery-transformation/foundational/accessability-affordability <div class="cdt-banner-wrap"><div class="foundation-banner-wrap"><div class="clinical-banner-wrap"><div class="foundation-banner-wrap-content"><h1 class="text-align-center">Accessible and Affordable</h1><h2 class="text-align-center">Care Delivery Transformation Framework&nbsp; Foundational Principles</h2></div></div></div></div> Wed, 11 Jun 2025 05:55:18 -0500 Access & Health Coverage Act Now: Ask Your Senators to Protect Medicaid and Access to Care <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8">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&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cbmirza%40aha.org%7C4682eb8b25c5407c3d5d08dda4785e2a%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638847559092782088%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=j%2BcYXOOXUihHMg0tPXhM8ZNSld5ujFX2wBiiVpbyH6Q%3D&amp;reserved=0">Congressional Budget Office</a>.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.Don’t wait! As Senate committees draft legislative text this week,&nbsp;<a href="/2020-10-07-get-involved">ask your senators</a> to protect Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act coverage gains and access to health care and services in your community. 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.Please urge your senators to reject&nbsp;detrimental policy changes that could reduce access to health care for millions of Americans — including their constituents. 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.<h2 class="text-align-center"><a href="/2020-10-07-get-involved">TAKE ACTION NOW</a></h2><h3>Medicaid Resources</h3>Explain that Medicaid is vital to your communities. Use the following AHA resources in your advocacy efforts and watch for new resources to be published soon.<ul><li>NEW: Fact Sheets and Infographics. 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 new 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">new 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>June 17 AHA Advocacy Day. 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&amp;route=shorturl">Register today</a>.</li><li>Digital Toolkit. 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>Coalition to Strengthen America’s Health Care Resources. 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>Explain why Congress should reject changes to the Affordable Care Act and&nbsp;<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.<ul><li>NEW: Fact Sheet. The AHA has developed a new resource showing how&nbsp;<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>&nbsp;would lead to millions of people losing their coverage.</li></ul><h3>Site-Neutral Payment Policies</h3>Tell your lawmakers why they should&nbsp;<a href="/advocacy/advocacy-issues/2023-09-11-advocacy-issue-site-neutral-payment-proposals">reject site-neutral policies</a>, as they would reduce patient access to vital health care services, particularly in rural and other medically underserved communities.<h3>340B Drug Pricing Program</h3>Ask your lawmakers to&nbsp;<a href="/340b-drug-savings-program">preserve the 340B program</a> and ensure the program continues to help eligible hospitals stretch limited resources and provide more comprehensive services to more patients.<h2>Further Questions</h2>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.</div><div class="col-md-4"><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></div></div></div> Thu, 05 Jun 2025 16:34:06 -0500 Access & Health Coverage As Reconciliation Bill Shifts to the Senate, We Must Speak Up to Protect Medicaid and Access to Care /news/perspective/2025-05-30-reconciliation-bill-shifts-senate-we-must-speak-protect-medicaid-and-access-care After approval in the House last week by a one vote margin, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act — a sweeping package that would enact many of President Trump’s legislative priorities on taxes, border security, energy and deficit reduction, including significant changes and cuts to Medicaid and other health care programs — now moves to the Senate.House Speaker Mike Johnson compared the bill’s difficult journey through the House to “crossing over the Grand Canyon on a piece of dental floss,” and he has urged the Senate “not to meddle with it too much,” as changes will need to come back to the House for final passage.However, the reconciliation package’s move to the Senate really is starting over in many respects as we expect the chamber to consider substantial revisions to the package. Even President Trump said, “I want the Senate and the senators to make the changes they want. I think they are going to have changes. Some will be minor, some will be fairly significant.”The bottom line: At this point, nothing is settled, and we still have opportunities to influence the discussion in the Senate and the legislative package they will consider.&nbsp;Concerns with Current Bill.&nbsp;As noted in our <a href="/news/headline/2025-05-22-house-passes-reconciliation-bill-significant-impacts-medicaid-health-insurance-marketplaces" title="Concerns with the current bill reaction">reaction</a> to last week’s vote, we are concerned about the harmful Medicaid and Health Insurance Marketplace provisions currently included in the bill. The sheer magnitude of the level of reductions to the Medicaid program alone — estimated to decimate federal support by more than $700 billion over 10 years&nbsp;— will impact all patients, not just Medicaid beneficiaries, in every community across the nation.Hospitals, especially in rural and underserved areas, will be forced to make difficult decisions about whether they will have to reduce services, reduce staff and potentially consider closing their doors. Other impacts could include longer waiting times to receive care, more crowded emergency departments, and hospitals not being able to invest in technology and innovations for clinical care.In particular, the Medicaid legislative proposals severely restrict the use of legitimate state funding resources and supplemental payment programs, including provider taxes and state directed payments, under the guise of eliminating waste, fraud and abuse. We reject this notion as these critical, legitimate and well-established Medicaid financing programs are essential to offset decades of chronic underpayments of the cost of care provided to Medicaid patients.We will be urging the Senate to make changes to address these and other issues we have with the bill. More details about the bill’s provisions and AHA’s concerns are included in our recent <a href="/advisory/2025-05-22-aha-summary-one-big-beautiful-bill-acts-provisions-impacting-hospitals-and-health-systems" title="Legislative Advisory expressing issues with the current bill.">Legislative Advisory</a> and <a href="/special-bulletin/2025-05-22-house-passes-reconciliation-bill-significant-policy-changes-and-reductions-medicaid-other-health" title="Special Bulletin expressing concerns with the current bill.">Special Bulletin</a>.Senate Dynamics and Process.&nbsp;When the Senate returns to Washington next week and begins to consider the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, it likely will not conduct traditional committee markups, leaving most of the Senate language to be developed by Senate Republican leadership and staff, as well as committee members and staff.&nbsp;At the same time, Senate Majority Leader John Thune will have to navigate divisions among Republican senators on what changes to make to the bill. For example, fiscal conservatives Sens. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., and Rand Paul, R-Ky., have already stated their refusal to vote for the legislation unless deeper spending cuts are made. Meanwhile, moderates, including Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, have expressed concerns about Medicaid changes, while Sens. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., and Jim Justice, R-W.Va., have voiced apprehension about the Medicaid provider tax changes.&nbsp;Making Our Voices Heard.&nbsp;With the Senate aiming to pass its bill before the July 4 recess, the next few weeks will be critical to help shape changes to the Senate bill. The AHA will host an Advocacy Day briefing in Washington, D.C., on June 17 to provide the latest updates on the reconciliation bill before hospital and health system leaders meet with their lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Please visit our <a href="/advocacy/action-center" title="AHA Action Center">Action Center</a> for the latest updates and resources.In addition, the AHA next week is running digital advertising inside the Beltway urging Congress to protect Medicaid and access to care. At the same time, the <a href="https://strengthenhealthcare.org/" title="Coalition to Strengthen America&apos;s Healthcare">Coalition to Strengthen America’s Healthcare</a>, of which the AHA is a founding member, continues to run TV and digital advertisements, including its <a href="https://strengthenhealthcare.org/coalition-to-strengthen-americas-healthcare-new-faces-of-medicaid-ad-mom/" title="Coalition to Strengthen America&apos;s Health Care latest ad ">latest ad</a> in its national Faces of Medicaid campaign, calling attention to the devastating effects that Medicaid cuts would have on millions of seniors and their families.While we provide the air cover, it’s so important for you to share with your senators the negative consequences some of the proposals would have on the patients and communities you serve.Nothing is more powerful with lawmakers than your voice — and the voices of your team members, trustees, patients and community members. You live, work and, most importantly, vote in their states and districts. You have their attention and can explain to them the impact policy proposals would have for their constituents and your ability to provide care.With so much at stake, it is vital that we continue speaking with one voice to protect the blue and white “H” that is a beacon of health, healing and hope in every community across the nation. Fri, 30 May 2025 08:35:47 -0500 Access & Health Coverage AHA Statement on House Reconciliation Legislation /press-releases/2025-05-21-aha-statement-house-reconciliation-legislation <div class="row"><div class="col-md-2">Contact:</div><div class="col-md-10">Colleen Kincaid, <a href="mailto:ckincaid@aha.org?subject=RE: AHA Statement on House Reconciliation Legislation">ckincaid@aha.org</a> Colin Milligan, <a href="mailto:cmilligan@aha.org?subject=RE: AHA Statement on House Reconciliation Legislation">cmilligan@aha.org</a></div></div>Rick Pollack President and CEO �� AssociationMay 21, 2025On behalf of our nearly 5,000 member hospitals, health systems and other health care organizations, our clinician partners — including more than 270,000 affiliated physicians, 2 million nurses and other caregivers — and the 43,000 health care leaders who belong to our professional membership groups, the �� Association (AHA) is sharing our concerns about the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) that is being considered on the House floor this week.Our hospitals and health systems have significant concerns regarding the harmful Medicaid and Health Insurance Marketplace provisions currently included in the bill. The sheer magnitude of the level of reductions to the Medicaid program alone will impact all patients, not just Medicaid beneficiaries, in every community across the nation. Hospitals — especially in rural and underserved areas — will be forced to make difficult decisions about whether they will have to reduce services, reduce staff and potentially consider closing their doors. Other impacts could include longer waiting times to receive care, more crowded emergency departments, and hospitals not being able to invest in technology and innovations for clinical care.In particular, the Medicaid legislative proposals severely restrict the use of legitimate state funding resources and supplemental payment programs, including provider taxes and state directed payments, under the guise of eliminating waste, fraud and abuse. We reject this notion as these critical, legitimate and well-established Medicaid financing programs are essential to offset decades of chronic underpayments of the cost of care provided to Medicaid patients. These new policies are estimated to decimate federal support for the Medicaid program by more than $700 billion over 10 years and will displace health care coverage for millions of Americans, moving them from insured to uninsured status.In addition to jeopardizing access to patient care and services, these abrupt policy changes would upend state government budgets and threaten the viability of the health care system to provide essential services to this population. Since these changes are effective immediately upon enactment of the legislation, states will have little or no time to prepare for the significant financial impact on state budgets.Given the substantial reduction in Medicaid payments and cuts to the Health Insurance Marketplaces, including allowing the enhanced premium tax credits to expire, millions will lose health care coverage. Therefore, the AHA urges the House to reject efforts to dismantle these vital programs in the OBBBA and preserve health care access for our nation’s vulnerable and working families.### Wed, 21 May 2025 21:21:48 -0500 Access & Health Coverage AHA expresses support for legislation streamlining prior authorization requirements under MA plans /news/headline/2025-05-21-aha-expresses-support-legislation-streamlining-prior-authorization-requirements-under-ma-plans The AHA May 21 voiced support to <a href="/lettercomment/2025-05-21-aha-senate-letter-supporting-improving-seniors-timely-access-care-act" title="senate">Senate</a> and <a href="/lettercomment/2025-05-21-aha-house-letter-supporting-improving-seniors-timely-access-care-act" title="house">House</a> sponsors of the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act, legislation that would reduce the variation in prior authorization methods used for Medicare Advantage plans. Specifically, the bill would establish an electronic prior authorization standard to streamline approvals; reduce the time a health plan is allowed to consider a prior authorization request; require MA plans to report on their use of prior authorization, including the use of artificial intelligence in prior authorization and the rate of approvals and denials; and encourage MA plans to adopt policies that adhere to evidence-based guidelines.&nbsp; Wed, 21 May 2025 15:06:02 -0500 Access & Health Coverage Continuing the Fight to Protect Medicaid and Access to 24/7 Hospital Care for Patients and Communities /news/perspective/2025-05-16-continuing-fight-protect-medicaid-and-access-247-hospital-care-patients-and-communities Three key House committees — Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Agriculture — after long debates and discussions this week advanced their portions of a massive reconciliation bill aimed at realizing President Trump’s legislative agenda.The Energy and Commerce Committee, which was instructed to reduce deficits by $880 billion, approved widespread changes to the Medicaid program that, if enacted, would be a devastating blow to the health and well-being of our nation’s most vulnerable citizens and communities.Many of the policies will not make the Medicaid program work better for the 72 million Americans who rely on it. They include babies and children, people with disabilities, the elderly, and nursing home patients. They also are many hard-working people, including farmers, ranchers, veterans and single moms. In fact, these policies will result in displacing millions of Americans from insured status to uninsured, putting their health and financial stability at serious risk.There is no avoiding the real-life consequences these proposals will create for hospitals’ and health systems’ ability to deliver 24/7 care and services to all patients across the country, not just Medicaid beneficiaries. Some hospitals, especially those in rural or underserved communities, could be forced to close. Many others would have to significantly reduce services. Other impacts could be longer waiting times to receive care, more crowded emergency departments, and hospitals not being able to invest in technology and advancements for clinical care.Earlier this week, we sent a <a href="/system/files/media/file/2025/05/aha-house-statement-on-full-committee-markup-of-budget-reconciliation-text-testimony-5-13-2025.pdf" target="_blank" title="AHA Statement to Energy and Commerce Committee">statement</a> to the Energy and Commerce Committee detailing our position on several provisions included in the legislative package. Specifically, we expressed our concerns that the bill restrains and diminishes provider taxes and state directed payment programs that are vital to the financial stability of hospitals and health systems and help them deliver essential services to Medicaid beneficiaries, since Medicaid historically and chronically underpays for the cost of caring for the millions of Americans that rely on the program. &nbsp;Some politicians and other stakeholders have mislabeled these programs and financing mechanisms as “waste, fraud and abuse.” They are nothing of the sort. The truth is the proposed changes to these programs are not real reform.Most states likely would be unable to close the financing gap created by further limiting their ability to tax providers; as a result, they may need to make significant cuts to their Medicaid programs, including reducing eligibility, eliminating or limiting benefits, and further reducing the chronic Medicaid underpayment rates for providers. In addition, states could address financial losses by limiting or eliminating nonmandatory benefits for all Medicaid beneficiaries, such as prescription drug coverage, clinic services, certain behavioral health services, home and community-based services, and physical and occupational therapy.While the legislation advanced out of committee, it still has a long way to go before crossing the finish line. The full House of Representatives could consider the package as soon as next week. And in the Senate&nbsp;— where some Republicans have already expressed concern about various House proposals&nbsp;— there would likely be changes to the bill should it pass the House.That means that we still have opportunities to influence the debate and the final package.&nbsp;We will continue to work with lawmakers to help them understand the impact these reductions will have on patients and the hospitals that care for them and their communities. Meanwhile, the <a href="https://strengthenhealthcare.org/" target="_blank" title="Coalition to Strengthen America&apos;s Healthcare">Coalition to Strengthen America’s Healthcare</a>, of which the AHA is a founding member, continues to run TV and digital advertisements targeted to key stakeholders. This week, the Coalition launched its <a href="https://strengthenhealthcare.org/new-coalition-ad-mom-highlights-impact-of-medicaid-cuts-on-americas-seniors/" target="_blank" title="Coalition to Strengthen America’s Healthcare newest ad.">newest ad</a> in its Faces of Medicaid campaign, telling the story of a family navigating the threat of limited health care options if Congress decides to make cuts to Medicaid.We appreciate your efforts already in sharing with your lawmakers the negative consequences some of the proposals would have on the patients and communities you serve. It’s more important than ever to continue to share those stories as every vote in the House and Senate matters with slim majorities in both chambers of Congress. And visit AHA’s Action Center <a href="/advocacy/action-center" target="_blank" title="AHA&apos;s Action Center Webpage">webpage</a> for the latest resources to assist your efforts.Tomorrow wraps up <a href="/ahia/get-involved/national-hospital-week" target="_blank" title="National Hospital Week webpage">National Hospital Week</a>. Throughout the week, we have been amplifying stories about the amazing work the women and men of America’s hospitals and health systems do every day to care for patients and support communities. Please take 30 seconds to watch this <a href="/ahia/get-involved/national-hospital-week" target="_blank" title="National Hospital Week Video">video</a> posted on our National Hospital Week page that shares some of this incredible and inspiring work.One simple line from the video says, “People count on us.” That’s a powerful message. And it’s one lawmakers need to hear again and again as they consider changes that could affect hospitals’ ability to provide 24/7 care and services to people and communities across the country.&nbsp; Fri, 16 May 2025 08:18:38 -0500 Access & Health Coverage Uniting to Protect Access to Care for Patients and Communities /news/perspective/2025-05-09-uniting-protect-access-care-patients-and-communities After a week’s delay to try to build consensus among Republicans — due in large part to concerns we have been raising about Medicaid cuts —&nbsp; the House Energy &amp; Commerce Committee could begin next week drafting its portion of the budget reconciliation bill as part of President Trump’s agenda to advance tax cuts that disproportionately benefit high income individuals. The committee is charged with finding $880 billion in savings, which could result in significant funding reductions and policy changes to the Medicaid program, although no specific details of what will be included as part of the markup have been released yet.If there is one simple message that legislators need to hear loud and clear right now, it is “No harmful cuts to the Medicaid program.”Medicaid covers 72 million Americans, and we need to tell legislators that cuts of the magnitude some are talking about could cause some hospitals to close and many others to reduce services. We need to tell them that Medicaid is a lifeline for rural hospitals. And we need to make sure they see the “faces of Medicaid:” children and babies; people with disabilities; the elderly and nursing home patients. It is a program that so many hard-working, low-income folks depend on…whether they are farmers, ranchers, veterans or single moms.Now, the politicians will say they are not going to cut Medicaid or Medicare “benefits.” But that’s often code for saying that payment for providing the services is not off the table. We need to tell them that there will be no “benefits” available if we are unable to keep our doors open to deliver care.And, they need to understand that cuts to Medicaid and Medicare don’t affect just these beneficiaries, but they affect everyone.Moreover, because of crippling Medicaid underpayment, many states have developed supplemental payment programs to patch this fundamentally broken program. Some politicians call these strategies “waste, fraud and abuse.” They are nothing of the sort.Legislators need to understand that these are legitimate financing methods with federal limits overseen by the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services — and have been approved by both Democratic and Republican administrations — including the Trump administration.Cutting off these financing mechanisms for a program that is the single largest source of health care coverage in the United States while hurting patients and their caregivers is simply not real reform, and it risks blowing holes through Medicaid, state government budgets and our health care safety net.These were some of the messages shared this week as 1,100 hospital and health system leaders came to Washington for the<a href="/education-events/2025-aha-annual-membership-meeting" target="_blank" title="AHA 2025 Annual Membership Meeting"> </a><a href="/topics/aha-annual-membership-meeting" target="_blank" title="AHA 2025 Annual Membership Meeting">AHA’s 2025 Annual Membership Meeting</a>. During the meeting, we also discussed the need to reject so-called site-neutral payments; preserve the 340B program; extend the Enhanced Premium Tax Credits that enable millions of Americans to buy affordable private health insurance; provide relief from burdensome regulations; and strengthen and support the health care workforce.&nbsp;Throughout the week, hospital leaders from across the country delivered these key messages to their representatives and senators, emphasizing with powerful personal stories and examples how Medicaid cuts would jeopardize access to care for their patients and communities.Prior to the Annual Meeting, we released an Action Alert with several new <a href="/2020-10-07-get-involved" target="_blank" title="Action Alert with new advocacy resources.">advocacy resources</a>, including fact sheets and infographics, a digital toolkit containing a Medicaid Made Simple video, social media messages and more. We also shared a <a href="/2020-10-07-get-involved" target="_blank" title="Sample Advocacy Message">sample message</a> that individuals can personalize and send to their lawmakers to urge them to reject funding cuts to Medicaid and other health care programs. &nbsp;At the same time, the AHA continues to reinforce these messages in many ways with legislators, policymakers and other influential stakeholders. This week, we launched new digital advertisements in key Washington, D.C., publications and other targeted placements urging Congress to protect Medicaid. In addition, the <a href="https://strengthenhealthcare.org" target="_blank" title="Coalition to Strengthen America&apos;s Healthcare">Coalition to Strengthen America’s Healthcare</a>, of which the AHA is a founding member, continues to run digital and televised national ads, as well as engage its 2.6 million advocates in grassroots advocacy campaigns.There’s still a long way to go in the reconciliation process, which means we have more opportunities to tell our stories about the real impact harmful changes in Medicaid or other programs would have on patients’ access to care.And as the process moves forward, AHA Board Chair Tina Freese Decker reminded hospital and health systems leaders in Washington this week that field unity is paramount as we remain focused on our fundamental mission. “We all may be different, [but] whether we are small or large, urban or rural, blue state or red state … what really unites us is that we care for people.”When we are united, when we show up with one voice, one message, one undeniable presence, we have power that no one can ignore. We have influence that no one can dismiss. And we have a force in every state and congressional district across America that no opponent, no obstacle and no well-funded opposition can match. Fri, 09 May 2025 08:23:43 -0500 Access & Health Coverage Hospitals Are Cornerstones of Communities. We Must Tell Our Stories to Protect Access to Care /news/perspective/2025-04-25-hospitals-are-cornerstones-communities-we-must-tell-our-stories-protect-access-care One year ago, a nurse at Children’s Hospital Colorado went above and beyond in a way that a very young patient and her family will never forget.&nbsp;Kayla McCarthy specializes in working with young children awaiting or recovering from organ transplants. In May 2024, she was approved as a living organ donor and <a href="https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/colorado-news/nurse-donates-liver-to-patient-childrens-hospital-colorado/73-2549bc86-61a8-4ca4-ba3b-aea5f60579d3" target="_blank" title="Article: Nurse helps to save a child&apos;s life">contributed a piece of her liver to a young toddler in her hospital, helping to save the child’s life</a>.&nbsp;McCarthy’s remarkable gift symbolizes with a single gesture what hospitals and their phenomenal care teams mean to the people and communities they serve. It is more than just the doors that are always open to all, any time of day or night. It is even more than the dependable, quality, compassionate care delivered to patients every minute of every day in every corner of the nation.&nbsp;The bond between hospitals and their communities reaches deeper. Hospitals and health systems offer programs that provide healthy food, preventive wellness education and maternal support services to ensure healthy births. Hospitals and health systems provide critical behavioral and mental health services. Hospitals and health systems are major employers, supporting families and businesses while providing a financial foundation that helps communities to thrive. And hospitals and health systems partner with community organizations to address the unique needs of the patients and neighborhoods they serve.&nbsp;For example:&nbsp;<ul><li><a href="/role-hospitals-shodair-childrens-hospital-launches-hope-campaign" target="_blank" title="The Hope Campaign Story">Shodair Children’s Hospital in Helena, Mont., has launched the Hope Campaign</a> to reduce stigma and encourage conversations about youth mental health.</li><li><a href="/role-hospitals-virtual-singing-walking-groups-dartmouth-healths-programs-older-adults-enhance-health" target="_blank" title="Dartmouth Health free educational classes">Dartmouth Health in Lebanon, N.H., offers free educational classes, support and services to improve the minds, bodies and spirits of older adults and their families</a>. Older adults can take a class or series of classes to improve their balance, get help using their iPhone, learn strategies for coping with symptoms of chronic disease and get tips for eating healthy.&nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://www.tenethealth.com/our-stories/our-stories-detail/our-stories/2025/03/18/the-hospitals-of-providence-unveils-new-perinatal-center" target="_blank" title="Tenet Health&apos;s caring for mothers story">Tenet Health’s The Hospitals of Providence in El Paso, Texas, recently unveiled a new center dedicated to caring for mothers experiencing a high-risk pregnancy</a>.&nbsp;</li></ul>Every hospital and health system has many stories of how they are healing patients and advancing health for communities. Hundreds of these examples can be found on <a href="/tellingthehospitalstory" target="_blank" title="Telling the Hospital Story web page">AHA’s Telling the Hospital Story</a> webpages.&nbsp;These stories are powerful. They inform and inspire. It’s important that we share these stories with our communities and with our legislators, especially as Congress continues to consider funding cuts and policy changes that would jeopardize access to care for millions of Americans across the nation.&nbsp;Next week, Congress returns to Washington, D.C., and congressional committees will begin marking up portions of the budget reconciliation bill to enact key pieces of President Trump’s agenda. On May 7, we expect the House Energy and Commerce Committee to begin marking up its portion of the bill and the potential for significant cuts to the Medicaid program remain on the table. &nbsp;That week, we’ll have more than 1,000 hospital and health system leaders in Washington for <a href="https://annualmeeting.aha.org/registration" target="_blank" title="AHA&apos;s Annual Membership Meeting web site">AHA’s Annual Membership Meeting</a> May 4-6. You can still register to attend if you have not done so yet.&nbsp;Whether you are at the Annual Meeting or not, you can tell your story to your legislators and explain how certain policies would jeopardize access to the 24/7 care and services that hospitals and health systems provide.&nbsp;We need to talk about protecting access to care by rejecting cuts to Medicaid, additional so-called site-neutral payment policies and harmful changes to the 340B program. At the same time, we need to extend the enhanced premium tax credits that help millions of Americans access affordable private insurance; strengthen and support the health care workforce; and provide relief from burdensome regulations and policies that inhibit care.Please see our recent <a href="/action-alert/2025-04-14-take-action-urge-lawmakers-reject-medicaid-cuts-protect-access-care" target="_blank" title="AHA Action Alert with details and resources to support advocacy efforts.">Action Alert</a> for more details and resources to support your advocacy efforts.&nbsp;At the end of the day, the policies we are fighting for will protect access to care and services for patients, as well as help caregivers like Kayla McCarthy continue to do what they do best: heal, comfort and make lives better.&nbsp; &nbsp; Fri, 25 Apr 2025 08:19:26 -0500 Access & Health Coverage AHA issues support for legislation to strengthen LTCH reimbursement /news/headline/2025-04-22-aha-issues-support-legislation-strengthen-ltch-reimbursement The AHA voiced <a href="/lettercomment/2025-04-15-aha-supports-house-securing-access-care-seniors-critical-condition-act" title="senior act">support</a> for the Securing Access to Care for Seniors in Critical Condition Act (H.R.1924), legislation that would provide reimbursement for long-term care hospitals. In comments to the bill’s sponsors, Reps. Kevin Hern, R-Okla., and Brendan Boyle, D-Pa., the AHA highlighted declines in the number of LTCH standard-rate cases, providers and reimbursement. Smaller, yet sicker patient populations have also become a challenge for LTCHs.&nbsp;&nbsp; Tue, 22 Apr 2025 14:58:52 -0500 Access & Health Coverage