FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Statement attributable to:
Beth Feldpush, DrPH
Senior Vice President of Policy and Advocacy
America’s Essential Hospitals
WASHINGTON — We thank the House for its approval this evening, and the Senate for its recent support, of legislation to extend the moratorium on the damaging 2 percent Medicare sequester cut.
Extending the moratorium through the end of this year provides much-needed relief for essential hospitals, which continue to face heavy financial pressure from their front-line response to COVID-19. The sequester would weaken the ability of our hospitals to care for the communities of color that have suffered disproportionately from the pandemic.
We look forward to the president’s signature on this important bill, and we encourage Congress to act quickly to avert the 4 percent Statutory Pay As You Go Act (PAYGO) cut to Medicare this year. Like the sequester, the PAYGO cut would undermine essential hospitals’ response to COVID-19 and their work to keep communities healthy and safe.
# # #
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