Hospital Group Letter to
NGA Medicaid Task Force Outlines Critical Concerns
May 2, 2003 - The AAMC joined the American Hospital
Association, Federation of American Hospitals, National Association
of Public Hospitals/Health Systems, and National Association
of Children's Hospitals in signing an April 25 letter
to the National Governors Association (NGA) Medicaid Task
Force. The Task Force is meeting weekly to develop Medicaid
reform recommendations that the governors will present in
response to the Administration's new Medicaid proposal. HHS
Secretary Thompson has asked the NGA to deliver the recommendations
by mid-May.
In the letter, the hospital groups outline their core Medicaid
concerns, and ask the Task Force to keep those issues in mind
as they work to complete the NGA recommendations. Among the
issues identified by the AAMC and the other signatories are
the restoration of Medicaid DSH funding levels, federal financial
assistance to help states mitigate their current budget crises,
and the failure of the Bush proposal to account for any unexpected
growth in needy populations or medical technology. The letter
also reminds Task Force members that "[u]nderfunding
… safety net hospitals imperils the entire community,
not just vulnerable populations." Adequate Medicaid funding,
the letter states, "is essential to preserving critical
health services that benefit entire communities," particularly
the maintenance of surge capacities needed in case of major
disasters, new epidemics, or other large-scale events.
Information:
Christiane Mitchell, Senior Legislative Affairs Manager
AAMC Government Relations
cmitchell@aamc.org
(202) 828-0526
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