Congressional leaders urged to prevent Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital cuts

A bipartisan group of over 230 representatives urged House leaders to prevent $8 billion in cuts to Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital payments scheduled to begin Oct. 1, calling AHA-supported legislation (H.R. 2665) “a reasonable and responsible path to take in order to avoid the disastrous consequences to our safety net hospitals if the Medicaid DSH cuts were to take effect.” The letter was led by Reps. Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y., Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, Diana DeGette, D-Colo.., and Michael Burgess, R-Texas.
 
“It is imperative we continue to protect access to Medicaid beneficiaries who heavily rely on the essential services provided through Medicaid DSH program,” they wrote.
 
AHA Executive Vice President Stacey Hughes said, “The AHA appreciates the bipartisan leadership of Reps. Clarke, Crenshaw, DeGette and Burgess, and the overwhelming support of so many House members, for the Medicaid DSH program, which allows many hospitals across the country to continue to serve their patients and communities during challenging financial times. We look forward to working with lawmakers to enact H.R. 2665 and prevent devastating Medicaid DSH cuts from going into effect later this year.”