Urge Congress to Protect Access to Care

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Action needed:Call or email your U.S. representative and urge them to vote no on 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 site-neutral payment cuts that would reduce payments to California hospitals by $314 million. CHA supports the delay of Medicaid DSH cuts but notes that these cuts have been temporarily delayed in other 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 to provide care to their communities. Resources are available below for use in members’ outreach. Find your representative’s contact information in this online directory. 

Timing:

ASAP — The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on the legislation as soon as Monday, Dec. 11. 

Resources:

Background:

The proposed site-neutral payment cuts would be for physician-administered medication. The difference in safety requirements, standards and care coordination between hospital-based outpatient departments and physician offices is vast. Medicare must continue to recognize the cost of care and capacity. 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.