September 7, 2001

AAMC/AHA To Hold Sept. 20 Teaching Hospital Advocacy Day

The AAMC and the American Hospital Association (AHA) are hosting a joint advocacy day Sept. 20 to gather additional support for "The American Hospital Preservation Act" (H.R. 1556/S. 839). The day will begin with a morning briefing covering background information and a legislative update before participants meet with their legislators in the afternoon. All teaching hospital Chief Executive Officers, medical school Deans and other teaching hospital and medical school representatives are encouraged to attend.

The AAMC and AHA have scheduled an additional advocacy day to reinforce the workforce message laid at Congress' doorstep during the July advocacy day. The AAMC and AHA believe Congress needs to continue to hear the message that teaching hospitals need help in attracting, retaining and training our health care workforce. And, because of the many competing health care agenda items and appropriations activities this Fall, building broader bipartisan support for this proposal is critical to ensuring consideration of this legislation during this Congress.

H.R. 1556 currently has 156 cosponsors and S. 839 has 31 cosponsors. H.R. 1556/S. 839 provides a full inflation update to Medicare inpatient service payments in FYs 2002 and 2003 and maintains Medicare Indirect Medical Education payments at current levels (6.5 percent).

Information: Lynne L. Davis, AAMC Office of Governmental Relations, 202-828-0526.