FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Statement attributable to:
Bruce Siegel, MD, MPH
President and CEO
America’s Essential Hospitals
WASHINGTON—Policies in the president’s fiscal year 2022 budget plan take a positive step toward greater equity in health care by targeting health disparities and focusing on the many social and economic factors that impact health and access to care in underserved communities.
We applaud the administration’s desire to improve health by meeting basic needs, such as housing and education, and confronting maternal mortality, opioid use, and other threats to the underrepresented people our hospitals serve. The proposed allocation of $25 million to improve health equity, including to address the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on communities of color, is particularly encouraging.
But we are disappointed to see the budget include policies from the previous administration that would undermine the value of the 340B Drug Pricing Program. Congress intended the 340B program not only to make drugs more affordable but to help hospitals provide more services for low-income patients and underserved communities. We believe the program operates just as Congress intended, and these policy proposals seek a solution to a problem that does not exist.
We look forward to working with the administration to ensure strong and sustainable support for our health care safety net and essential hospitals.
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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
