Advocating for Essential Hospitals
For more than 40 years, we have advanced the mission of hospitals that provide safety net care by centering their needs in federal policymaking. We work to improve Medicaid and Medicare payments and other federal support for hospitals, protect the 340B Drug Pricing Program, and ensure policies on health care quality and value do not disadvantage under-resourced hospitals.
Position Papers
where we stand on key issues
Advancing High Quality Care For All
America’s Essential Hospitals is committed to countering social and economic drivers of poor health and stives to transform care for all.
Regulatory Comments
From America’s Essential Hospitals
Association Shares Legislative Priorities with Congress
Staff | Jan. 29, 2026
Association Comments on Proposed MA Rule
Evan Schweikert | Jan. 27, 2026
America’s Essential Hospitals Praises Hospital Designation Bill Reintroduction
Staff | Jan. 16, 2026
Association Urges MedPAC to Consider Alternatives to ‘Flawed’ Safety-Net Index
Evan Schweikert | Jan. 14, 2026
America’s Essential Hospitals Signs Drug Cost Survey Letter
Staff | Jan. 12, 2026
Summary of H.R. 1 Provisions Affecting Hospitals
A new Washington Briefing analyzes key provisions in H.R. 1 that affect essential hospitals. including proposals to limit state directed payments (SDPs), limit provider taxes, restrict Medicaid eligibility, and more.
read more
Take Action
Join the fight to improve federal support for essential hospitals and patients, and stay current on state-level policy shifts. America’s Essential Hospitals provides actionable alerts and updates on policy and advocacy issues for our members.
Eye on State Policy
Staying informed on state health care policies can help stakeholders assess trends and areas of innovation across the United States. America’s Essential Hospitals tracks state health policy topics and trends relevant to essential hospitals and the people and communities they serve.
Our Advocacy Achievements
America’s Essential Hospitals has a rich history and long record of accomplishments. Since its inception, America’s Essential Hospitals has been recognized for its advocacy and expertise on policies and programs that promote health and access to health care.
The most important thing that America’s Essential Hospitals brings to our health system and, indeed, the nation, is its advocacy and its focus on the mission that we all have in serving our communities. Without that advocacy and the understanding of our elected officials, we wouldn’t receive the resources that we need to add value to the health of our communities.
Steve Purves | President and CEO, Valleywise Health