FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Statement attributable to:
Bruce Siegel, MD, MPH
President and CEO
America’s Essential Hospitals
WASHINGTON — The U.S. District Court’s ruling yesterday evening that the government overstepped its authority by cutting payments to hospital outpatient clinics is a victory for vulnerable patients and an important step toward protecting access to care in underserved communities.
Millions of people in the United States still lack adequate access to care because they live in communities with too few health care practitioners. These health care deserts persist in both rural and urban areas across the country. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services policy to sharply cut payments to off-campus clinics has widened these gaps in care by creating financial barriers to operating networks of clinics on which vulnerable people rely.
We applaud the court’s decision and urge the Department of Health and Human Services to abide by it and quickly restore sustainable support for care in our most disadvantaged communities.
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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