FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Statement attributable to:
Beth Feldpush, DrPH
Senior Vice President of Policy and Advocacy
America’s Essential Hospitals
WASHINGTON—Today’s U.S. Supreme Court decision allowing the administration’s public charge rule to go forward puts health care access for millions of legal U.S. residents at risk and will undermine the stability of essential hospitals by driving up uncompensated care costs.
This decision will accelerate the rule’s chilling effect, causing people legally in this country to forgo medical treatment for fear of putting their immigration status at risk. They will put off care and seek treatment later, only as a last resort and when they’re sicker and more costly to treat. This will increase costs for taxpayers and the entire health care system.
We call on the administration to reverse course on this terrible policy and protect access to vital health care services for all people and communities. We will continue to advocate for a favorable resolution of this case on the merits in the lower courts.
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About America’s Essential Hospitals
America’s Essential Hospitals is the leading champion for hospitals and health systems dedicated to high-quality care for all, including the most vulnerable. We support our more than 300 members with advocacy, policy development, research, and education. Communities depend on essential hospitals to provide specialized, lifesaving services; train the health care workforce; advance public health and health equity; and coordinate care. Essential hospitals innovate and adapt to lead the way to more effective and efficient care. Learn more at essentialhospitals.org.
Contact:
Carl Graziano
cgraziano@essentialhospitals.org
202.585.0102
