FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Statement attributable to:
Beth Feldpush, DrPH
Senior Vice President of Policy and Advocacy
America’s Essential Hospitals
WASHINGTON—-We thank House lawmakers for passing legislation that would support hospitals that anchor the response to COVID-19 as they care for vulnerable patients and underserved communities. We also applaud their careful work to craft a bill that would balance the urgent need for more relief with fiscal prudence.
With the addition of $50 billion in Provider Relief Fund aid and improvements to Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) funding, this bill would help ease the heavy financial pressures our hospitals face. We also welcome the bill’s recognition of the need to account for race, ethnicity, gender, and other demographic data to reduce persistent disparities in health, such as those amplified by the pandemic.
Essential hospitals thank House leaders for recognizing in this legislation the ongoing needs of providers that form the backbone of the health care safety net and for taking additional steps to support their service to patients and communities. We look forward to working with lawmakers in both chambers of Congress to ensure these and other policy priorities become law.
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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
