Hospitals throughout California are facing severe financial challenges that threaten patient care and put their communities at risk. Costs have skyrocketed, leading to hospital closures and reductions in services. Elected officials at the federal and state level need to hear directly from hospitals about the specific financial challenges they are facing, how they impact access to care, and the needs of the communities in their districts. CHA is requesting a critical infusion of $1.5 billion from the state budget, followed by an ongoing structural rate increase in Medi-Cal payments to prevent future crises. CHA is also opposing cuts to federal spending for Medicare and Medicaid.
CHA is asking hospital leaders to call or email your state legislators and U.S. representative by Feb. 28 and share your story about the financial challenges you are facing and how they are impacting your communities.
Find your U.S. representative’s contact information in this online directory.
Find your state Assembly member and senator’s contact information in this online directory.
Resources are available below for use in members’ outreach:
- CHA Slide Deck
- Financial Instability “Script”
- Infographic: Critical Hospital Services Face Uncertain Future
Additional CHA Advocacy Efforts
To help tell the story, CHA is hosting two webinars — the first was held on Jan. 31 and the next is Feb. 7 — with federal and state elected officials and their staff about the financial instability facing hospitals. Your direct follow up with your elected officials is critical to helping them understand that these challenges are in their own backyard.