Rick Pollack

Articles

Community Benefit

Perspective: Benefiting Our Communities in More Ways than One

Few — if any — can say they benefit the community as much as America’s hospitals and health systems.  On top of delivering around-the-clock care to all who come to us, hospitals and health systems of all types are providing a wide range of comprehensive benefits, activities and services tailored to meet the specific needs of their patients and communities. 

Medicaid DSH, Access & Health Coverage

Perspective: Delaying Medicaid DSH cuts is vital to local access to care

When the many vulnerable members of society need care, they often turn to their local hospital or health system. And we’re better able to care for these patients in part because Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital payments help cover costs. 

The bad news: Under current law, these payments will be significantly reduced on Oct. 1 and this could threaten local access to care. Hospitals and health systems will face $4 billion in funding reductions in fiscal year 2020 … and $8 billion in fiscal year 2021 — unless Congress acts soon.