FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Statement attributable to:
Bruce Siegel, MD, MPH
President and CEO
America’s Essential Hospitals
WASHINGTON — The Inflation Reduction Act preserves access to affordable health care coverage and takes historic steps to fight climate change, which disproportionately harms marginalized populations, and we thank Congress and the administration for this new law.
The law’s extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies comes at a critical time for our nation, with the continuing perils of COVID-19 and emerging threats, such as monkeypox. With these changes, the law protects coverage for people of color and others who face the greatest disparities in health and health care access during public health emergencies.
While the Inflation Reduction Act does much to ensure access to care, it falls short of providing the support essential hospitals need as front-line providers during public health crises. The pandemic produced workforce shortages, drove surging labor costs, and strained infrastructure at essential hospitals; we urge Congress to provide more funding to overcome these challenges. Essential hospitals care for our most disadvantaged communities— we must keep them strong for current and future health threats.
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About America’s Essential Hospitals
America’s Essential Hospitals is the leading association and champion for hospitals dedicated to equitable, high-quality care for all, including those who face social and financial barriers to care. Since 1981, America’s Essential Hospitals has advanced policies and programs that promote health, health care access, and equity. We support our more than 300 members with advocacy, policy development, research, education, and leadership development. Communities depend on essential hospitals for care across the continuum, health care workforce training, research, public health and health equity, and other services. Essential hospitals innovate and adapt to lead all of health care toward better outcomes and value. Learn more at https://essentialhospitals.org.
Contact:
Carl Graziano
cgraziano@essentialhospitals.org
202.585.0102
