Federation of American Hospitals

🚨New from the Miami Herald Editorial Board: “In less than six months, roughly 2.2 million Floridians are poised to lose their health insurance when enhanced premium tax cuts for the Affordable Care Act marketplace expire at the end of 2025. These tax credits, first expanded during the pandemic, made insurance plans affordable for working families and retirees too young for Medicare. Now the tax credits are set to end unless Congress acts to extend them. If an extension isn’t granted, Florida will face a healthcare insurance crisis of epic proportions.” https://lnkd.in/eS2Hfgun

Ardent Health's Donald Baker knows a thing or two about what it takes to deliver quality, consistent 24/7 patient care - and how that care can uplift entire communities. On the latest episode of Hospitals in Focus, Baker underscores just how critical stable Medicaid funding and the extension of the enhanced premium tax credits are to the foundation of rural health care. 🎙️ Listen to learn more: https://lnkd.in/e5EQBArj

Millions of Americans in communities across the country rely on enhanced premium tax credits to afford their health coverage. These are small business owners, entrepreneurs, and folks working hard day in and day out to provide for themselves and their families. If Congress does not extend these critical tax credits, premiums could double and millions will lose coverage—placing enormous strain on families and on the hospitals that care for them. Hospitals stand ready to care for every patient who walks through their doors, but without this critical support, patients and providers alike will be put in jeopardy. It’s time for Congress to act. 👉 Learn more and make your voice heard: https://lnkd.in/eajhW24P

🆘 The Century Foundation's new study makes clear: rural Americans' are on the brink of steep health care cost increases and dwindling health care access unless Congress asks quickly. ❗ Without extending enhanced premium tax credits, rural enrollees could see their out-of-pocket premiums rise by about $760 annually—over 25% more than urban counterparts. ❗ Some rural counties could face increases of $3,000 or more per year in the hardest hit areas. ❗ Nationally, premiums could spike by 25% to 100%, potentially pushing 4 million people off their coverage and increasing the uninsured rate dramatically. A swift extension of the extend enhanced premium tax credits - currently set to expire at the end of 2025 - is critical to protecting working families from a cost of living crisis and preserving access to essential care for millions. https://lnkd.in/eFsa96Cu

What happens when policymakers make cuts to health care? The impact isn’t just numbers on a page—it’s patients, caregivers, and communities who feel the consequences. In our latest Hospitals in Focus episode, we take you inside the stories of care, sharing a first-hand perspective from Ardent Health's Donald Baker in East Texas on how Washington's policy decisions - from Medicaid cuts to the expiration of the enhanced tax credits - play out on the ground. 👉 Listen here: https://lnkd.in/e5EQBArj

In healthcare today, scale isn’t about getting bigger – it’s about getting better. Let’s face it: healthcare consolidation gets a bad rap – and sometimes it’s deserved. But with cost pressures climbing, hospitals can’t afford to stand still. When grounded in strategy, accountability and a shared vision, scale can be a lifeline for hospitals and the communities they serve. In this Fierce Healthcare op-ed, I share why it’s needed now more than ever – and what it takes to get it right. https://lnkd.in/eBwWSwW4

Last week, the Federation of American Hospitals (FAH) sent a letter to CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz outlining recommendations for implementing the Rural Health Transformation Fund (RHTF) included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). FAH emphasized that while the fund is a critical first step, CMS must act swiftly and strategically to ensure rural hospitals can sustain services, retain staff, and modernize care delivery. Key FAH recommendations include: ⚫ Prioritize direct payments to rural hospitals for essential services like emergency care, behavioral health, obstetrics, and specialty care. ⚫ Ensure eligibility for all rural hospitals—regardless of ownership or tax status. ⚫ Minimize administrative burden—avoid requiring new programs to access funds. ⚫ Allow states to update their plans over time as rural needs evolve. ⚫ Preserve existing federal support by preventing RHTF dollars from triggering Medicare or Medicaid payment reductions. ⚫ Make the state and CMS processes transparent, with clear application guidelines, evaluation criteria and a pathway for states to revise denied applications. Read the letter here: https://lnkd.in/deiMxD2N

With 10 million individuals estimated to lose health coverage due to Congress's recent health care cuts, Hospitals in Focus podcast guest Jim Capretta points out that a major question remains: where are these folks supposed to get coverage now? This question is complicated by the fact that without swift Congressional action, the enhanced tax credits that help enable working Americans to buy their own health coverage will expire - leaving families to contend with sky-high premiums they cannot afford. 🎧 Listen now for more: https://lnkd.in/dZH3HJcZ

We are grateful Suzan DelBene visited UHS's Fairfax Behavioral Health to discuss their critical services, challenges facing hospitals, and how they can best be supported as they continue providing quality patient care.

🎧 New episode of Hospitals in Focus podcast out today! With the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the health care landscape is poised for significant change — but many of the most consequential provisions won’t take effect until 2027 or later. So, what comes next? Chip Kahn sits down with Jim Capretta, Senior Fellow at AEI, to unpack the future of health care coverage and access in the U.S. 💡 Topics include: • What’s really in the OBBBA — and what might actually become reality • The future of Medicaid and the individual market • Who could be most impacted by coverage losses • What policymakers should focus on next 🎙️ Listen now: https://lnkd.in/dZH3HJcZ