Members of America’s Essential Hospitals held 100 meetings with members of Congress and key congressional staff as part of the April 1 and 2 Policy Assembly. During these meetings, association members educated Congress on what defines an essential hospital and the key issues facing essential hospitals, including the following:
- protecting critical hospital funding streams such as Medicaid disproportionate share hospital payments
- ensuring health insurance marketplaces (exchanges) contract with essential hospitals as essential community providers
- preserving resources to train future physicians and health care professionals
The event also included reflections from senior Capitol Hill and administration staff on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) rollout, and insights into what hospitals can expect during the next health insurance marketplace open enrollment period.
In addition, members of America’s Essential Hospitals recognized members of Congress and congressional staffers who have a history of working in or closely with our hospitals. On April 1, nine members of Congress who worked at member hospitals were recognized as essential physician and clinician leaders. On April 2, six congressional staff were honored with the inaugural Christine Capito Burch Award for congressional staff leadership because of their commitment to protecting vulnerable patients.