FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Statement attributable to:
Bruce Siegel, MD, MPH
President and CEO
America’s Essential Hospitals
WASHINGTON—We thank the bipartisan leaders of key House and Senate committees for their strong statement in support of COVID-19 emergency funding for providers, such as essential hospitals, that serve large numbers of Medicaid and low-income patients.
Essential hospitals appreciate the leadership of Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Reps. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-NJ) and Greg Walden (R-OR), who made their concerns clear today in a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar. We wholeheartedly agree: Emergency aid allocations so far have disadvantaged essential hospitals. New distributions must target hospitals that care for many Medicaid patients.
COVID-19 continues to exact a high financial toll on essential hospitals, which operate with narrow margins and limited cash reserves as they anchor the front lines of this public health emergency. Each day that passes without more funding for the safety net pushes these hospitals closer to a financial crisis that will put their communities at risk. The administration must act immediately to release more aid that targets Medicaid-reliant providers.
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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
