FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Statement attributable to:
Bruce Siegel, MD, MPH
President and CEO
America’s Essential Hospitals
WASHINGTON—We thank House leaders for responding to the heavy financial burden of COVID-19 on hospitals with bipartisan action to ease repayment terms for Medicare accelerated and advance payment loans and to further delay Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payment cuts.
Our hospitals continue to suffer high costs and revenue losses associated with COVID-19, and they welcome the relief this continuing resolution would provide. Further, the additional delay in DSH cuts will help hospitals and Congress as they work toward a sustainable solution to the threat these cuts pose to health care access for low-income patients.
While we appreciate the relief in the continuing resolution, we also call on Congress and the administration to provide more support for hospitals, especially as the nation faces a predicted increase in COVID-19 cases this fall and winter. We must ensure essential hospitals on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic have the resources they need to respond effectively to this public health emergency.
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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
