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ACTION NEEDED
Call or email your U.S. representative and urge them to make changes to the Lower Costs, More Transparency Act (H.R. 5378). While the bill would delay Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) cuts for two years, it also includes harmful Medicare payment cuts. Ask your representative to keep the Medicaid DSH cut relief and eliminate the harmful site-neutral Medicare payment cuts proposed in the legislation. California’s hospitals cannot withstand Medicaid or Medicare cuts and it is important for representatives to hear how this legislation would affect hospitals’ ability to continue providing care to their communities.
Find your U.S. representative’s contact information in this online directory.
TIMING
Call or email ASAP — The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on the legislation at any time.
RESOURCES
BACKGROUND
Next week, the U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on the Lower Costs, More Transparency Act (H.R. 5378).
CHA strongly supports the proposal to delay the Medicaid DSH cuts for two years. However, the measure also includes Medicare payment cuts for certain services provided in hospital outpatient departments.
California’s disadvantaged and uninsured rely on hospitals, which in turn depend on adequate Medicare and Medicaid payments. Allowing the Medicaid DSH cuts to take effect and expanding Medicare site-neutral payment policies would jeopardize access to life-saving care for Californians who have little to no ability to obtain care in other ways.