Press Release

Statement on the Protecting the Medicaid Safety Net Act

Contact:
David Allen - (202) 626-2313
Elizabeth Lietz - (202) 626-2284

Washington D.C.

Rick Pollack
Executive Vice President

June 27, 2008

Last night, Congress took an important step to preserve care for millions of patients by putting on hold the six Medicaid regulations that would have shredded the nation's health care safety net.  By delaying the Administration's regulations, Congress has protected important resources—resources that help train America's next generation of doctors and help ensure that hospitals remain strong and able to provide the necessary care the communities they serve rely upon.  The moratorium also preserves access to rehabilitation and case management services for people with disabilities and specialized medical transportation to school for children, as well as many other important services.  We thank Congress for putting first the needs of the 57 million children, low-income seniors and disabled who depend on Medicaid for their health care. 

However, we are disappointed that Congress did not include the outpatient regulation in its moratorium.  This regulation will jeopardize important community-based services, including screening, diagnostic and dental services for children as well as lab and ambulance services.  We will continue to work with Congress to protect Medicaid for the patients and communities America's hospitals serve.

About AHA

The AHA is a not-for-profit association of health care provider organizations and individuals that are committed to the improvement of health in their communities. The AHA is the national advocate for its members, which includes more than 5,000 member hospitals, health systems and other health care organizations, and 38,000 individual members. Founded in 1898, the AHA provides education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends.