Press Release

Statement on Senate Extension of FMAP

Contact:
Matthew Fenwick - (312) 422-2820
Alicia Mitchell - (202) 626-2290

Washington D.C.

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Rich Umbdenstock
President and CEO
American Hospital Association

August 5, 2010

America's hospitals applaud the Senate for extending federal assistance for state Medicaid programs - FMAP - which will help ensure patient access to care.  During such a difficult economic downturn, more patients have been enrolling in programs like Medicaid that provide assistance to low-income families and individuals.  At the same time, state budget shortfalls have placed intense pressure on these programs.  Extending FMAP is critical to ensuring that millions of our most vulnerable patients - children, the disabled and the poor elderly - have access to care at America's hospitals and other health care providers.

The economic downturn also has meant more patients have been turning to hospitals as their health care safety net.  Hospitals must have the tools and resources they need to care for those in the community and extending FMAP is a critical to hospitals' ability to this mission.  That's why we look forward to the House passing the extension - to protect the health care safety net so many people rely on. 

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.