FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Statement attributable to:
Beth Feldpush, DrPH
Senior Vice President of Policy and Advocacy
America’s Essential Hospitals
WASHINGTON — We share the government’s desire to protect patients and taxpayers with transparency in federal programs, but today’s proposal oversteps this goal with deeply damaging policies that would harm the health care safety net and erode state flexibility.
This regulation would undermine the financial stability of state Medicaid programs by restricting the flexibility states have to meet their commitment to vulnerable patients and avoid spending cutbacks that threaten access to care. That flexibility also has allowed states to respond to health crises that require expanded services, such as the opioid epidemic. Indeed, flexibility seemed to be a hallmark of the administration’s approach to Medicaid.
But today’s proposal turns that perception on its head. It is less about transparency than restricting the very flexibility states need to keep their Medicaid programs afloat and protect the safety net in the face of growing demands on program resources.
We ask that the administration work with essential hospitals to find ways that satisfy its desire for transparency without putting health care access and state flexibility at risk.
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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
