FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Statement attributable to:
Bruce Siegel, MD, MPH
President and CEO
America’s Essential Hospitals
WASHINGTON — We thank Sens. Alexander and Murray for their bipartisan leadership to shore up the Affordable Care Act marketplace.
The end of cost-sharing reduction (CSR) subsidies poses an imminent threat to low-income, working Americans and others who depend on affordable marketplace plans. Coverage losses that result from the CSR decision also could destabilize hospitals—and put communities at risk—by increasing uncompensated care.
We urge Congress to act quickly to restore CSR subsidies and create more certainty in the individual market. Now is not the time for a protracted debate on broad reforms—we must respond to the immediate threat to marketplace stability.
We also must ensure final legislation maintains consumer protections and affordability requirements for the marketplace. Above all, we must preserve access to affordable coverage for all people and protect essential hospital services in communities across the country.
# # #
About America’s Essential Hospitals
America’s Essential Hospitals is the leading association and champion for hospitals and health systems dedicated to high-quality care for all, including the most vulnerable. Since 1981, America’s Essential Hospitals has initiated, advanced, and preserved programs and policies that help these hospitals ensure access to care. We support members with advocacy, policy development, research, and education.
Our 325 members are vital to their communities, providing primary care through trauma care, disaster response, health professional training, research, public health programs, and other services. They innovate and adapt to lead the broader health care community toward more effective and efficient care.
Contact:
Carl Graziano
cgraziano@essentialhospitals.org
202.585.0102
