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CBO Report Confirms Fears for Uninsured, Reinforces Need for Solutions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 24, 2012

Statement attributable to:
Bruce Siegel, MD, MPH
President and Chief Executive Officer
National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems

WASHINGTON—”Today’s CBO report confirms the bleak outlook for millions of people who lack access to affordable health care: They might not be able to count on the promise of health care reform to help them, and the safety net on which they rely will struggle to meet their needs.

“CBO estimates now show that up to 10 million more people will remain uninsured than Congress assumed when it passed the Affordable Care Act. With crippling cuts to federal support for uncompensated care still in the pipeline, the need for solutions is greater than ever. We must act quickly as a nation to put our most vulnerable populations first and protect their access to high-quality health care services.

“The country’s safety net hospitals and health systems will continue to provide care, regardless of ability to pay. But the combined impact of more uninsured and significantly reduced support for uncompensated care—reductions premised on a broader expansion of Medicaid than seems likely now—will sorely strain the capacity of these institutions.

“Congress and the administration must work together and with all stakeholders to ensure ACA funding for low-income and other vulnerable people remains dedicated to their care. States also must do the right thing and provide Medicaid coverage as broadly as possible. Access to affordable health care coverage and preservation of the safety net should be our priorities as reform moves forward.”

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About the National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems (NAPH)
NAPH represents safety net hospitals and health systems that provide high volumes of care to all patients, regardless of ability to pay. For more than 30 years, NAPH has advocated on behalf of its members on such issues as Medicaid, Medicare, and access to care for vulnerable populations. NAPH also helps members develop innovative, high-quality, cost-effective care delivery. For more information, visit http://www.naph.org/.

Media Contact:
Carl Graziano
(202) 585-0102

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