News Releases

The Center Advocates for Northeast Ohio Hospitals During Hill Visits

The Center for Health Affairs highlighted key policy priorities during Hill visits with members of the Northeast Ohio congressional delegation in late June. As part of meetings with the offices of Reps. Marcia Fudge, Dave Joyce and Marcy Kaptur, Lisa Anderson, senior vice president of member services at The Center, shared information about the organization’s program areas and delivered messaging on important policy issues impacting hospital members.

TWEETABLE: .@NEOHospitals' @lga177 discussed #Medicaid DSH cuts, 🏥 hospital initiatives to address the #opioidcrisis and more during recent Hill visits w/ @RepMarciaFudge, @RepDaveJoyce & @RepMarcyKaptur. 

Topics discussed during the meetings included:

• Pending funding cuts to the Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) program
• 42 CFR Part 2, a regulation impacting care coordination for patients with substance use disorders
• Site-neutral payments for hospital outpatient departments under Medicare
• Surprise medical billing
• 340B drug discount program

Anderson thanked lawmakers for signing on to a Dear Colleague letter advocating for a delay in the Medicaid DSH cuts as well as for reauthorizing funding for the Hospital Preparedness Program. 

The legislative offices were also interested in learning more about the Northeast Ohio Hospital Opioid Consortium and during the meetings Anderson fielded questions on other pertinent policy issues, including recently introduced legislation regarding healthcare workplace violence, which the American Hospital Association does not support. 

These meetings proved to be a worthwhile opportunity to build relationships with new legislative staff members and to share the perspective of Northeast Ohio hospitals on issues impacting them and the communities they serve.

MORE: For more on The Center’s recent Hill visits and policy priorities, contact us.