AHA-supported bill would aid hospitals serving additional poor, uninsured

AHA today voiced support for the Supporting Safety Net Hospitals Act (H.R. 2665), bipartisan legislation that would delay for two years cuts to Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospitals scheduled to begin Oct. 1. Congress established the Medicaid DSH program to provide financial assistance to hospitals serving a disproportionate number of low-income patients to ensure Medicaid and uninsured patients have access to health care services. If Congress does not act, $8 billion in reductions will take effect for fiscal year 2024. 

“Reductions to the Medicaid DSH program were enacted as part of the Affordable Care Act, with the reasoning that hospitals would have less uncompensated care as health insurance coverage increased,” AHA wrote. “Unfortunately, the projected coverage levels have not been realized and hospitals continue to care for patients for whom they are not receiving payment. The redetermination process that begins on April 1 may also lead to additional individuals becoming uninsured as states decide who remains eligible for the Medicaid program.”