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 community’s economy, health, and overall stability — and especially on your patients and on your hospital’s viability.
It’s important to reach out now — as this legislation is being developed — even though detailed specifics of the proposals are not available. Your voice will be needed again to engage with your representatives when votes on cuts are near.
Find your U.S. representative’s contact information in this online directory.
TIMING
Call or email your representatives by February 28. Many members of Congress will be home in their districts — that’s 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 also be.
A webinar has been recorded to help you prepare for an effective conversation with your federal representative.
RESOURCES
CHA’s federal resource page includes materials to help hospitals tell their stories:
- CHA’s letter on continuing resolution priorities
- CHA’s letter on federal budget reconciliation
- Hospital messaging guidance
- CHA’s federal priorities for 2025
- District-specific infographics
- CHA infographic: Protecting Access to Care for All Californians
- Medicaid primer
- Medicare and Medicaid “options” document
- Congressional district Medicaid information
BACKGROUND
Congress must act by March 14 to fund the federal government and avoid a government shutdown. Concurrently, Congress is crafting legislation to fund a variety of administration priorities — border security, energy incentives, and tax breaks — that may require deep cuts to Medicare and Medicaid (at this time, there are not enough details on the proposals to model the impact of the proposed cuts).
With upcoming votes on continued federal funding for 2025 and a budget for 2026, members of Congress will be voting on legislation that could wreak havoc on hospital financial stability by not only reducing Medicaid funding, but also altering policies on health care coverage, rural hospital care, site-neutral payments, disproportionate share hospital funding, and the 340B Drug Pricing Program.
It’s 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.