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ACTION NEEDED
Congress is working on legislation that could mean historic cuts to Medicare and Medicaid — cuts that would deliver a devastating blow to Californians’ access to health care and to hospitals struggling to deliver vital health services.
We need your help to make sure representatives understand the impact of Medicare and Medicaid on your communities’ economies, health, and overall stability — and especially on your patients and on your hospital’s viability.
It is important to reach out now — as this legislation is being developed. Even though details of the proposals are not available, we know the cuts — reducing or eliminating the Hospital Quality Assurance Fee, the managed care organization tax, and many others — could reduce payments to California hospitals by billions.
Find your U.S. representative’s contact information in this online directory.
TIMING
Call or email your representatives now to set up a meeting for the upcoming district work period. Members of Congress will be home in their districts from April 11–27. This is the ideal time to contact their local office by phone, text, or fax; visit them; schedule an in-person or virtual meeting; or attend a local event where they will be present.
RESOURCES
The California Hospital Association’s (CHA’s) federal resource page includes materials to help hospitals tell their stories, including, but not limited to:
- CHA letter on federal budget reconciliation
- Hospital messaging guidance
- District-specific infographics
- CHA infographic: Protecting Access to Care for All Californians
- Medicaid primer
- Medicaid Provider Taxes talking points
- Medicaid Funding Is Critical infographic
- Medicare and Medicaid “options” document
- CHA estimates of the statewide impact of key Medicaid proposals
- Congressional district Medicaid information
BACKGROUND
With upcoming votes on continued federal funding for 2025 and a budget for 2026, members of Congress will be deciding on legislation that could wreak havoc on hospitals’ financial stability. These proposals could significantly reduce Medicaid funding and alter policies related to health care coverage, rural hospital care, site-neutral payments, disproportionate share hospital funding, and the 340B Drug Pricing Program.
It is critical that your representative understands the vital role Medicare and Medicaid play for your patients and your hospital. Share your hospital’s story now and tell Congress to protect access to care for all Californians.