FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Statement attributable to:
Bruce Siegel, MD, MPH
President and CEO
America’s Essential Hospitals
WASHINGTON—Millions of low-income patients and communities across the country urgently need Congress this week to deliver relief from devastating cuts to Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) support.
Those cuts—$2 billion this year and $43 billion overall through fiscal year 2025—will destabilize hospitals that form the backbone of the nation’s health care safety net and jeopardize trauma services and other lifesaving care on which everyone depends.
Strong bipartisan support already exists for a two-year delay of the cuts. A delay would cost nothing and give lawmakers and hospitals time to find a sustainable, permanent solution to the problem of uncompensated care costs.
The harm from DSH cuts is imminent, but not unavoidable. Congress must act immediately to stop the cuts in its next government funding measure.
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About America’s Essential Hospitals
America’s Essential Hospitals is the leading association and champion for hospitals and health systems dedicated to high-quality care for all, including the most vulnerable. Since 1981, America’s Essential Hospitals has initiated, advanced, and preserved programs and policies that help these hospitals ensure access to care. We support members with advocacy, policy development, research, and education.
Our 325 members are vital to their communities, providing primary care through trauma care, disaster response, health professional training, research, public health programs, and other services. They innovate and adapt to lead the broader health care community toward more effective and efficient care.
Contact:
Carl Graziano
cgraziano@essentialhospitals.org
202.585.0102
