America’s Essential Hospitals Issues Statement on Graham-Cassidy Proposal

WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 -- The America's Essential Hospitals issued the following statement:

We are thankful Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and other Senate leaders chose to stop the rush to a vote on the Graham-Cassidy-Heller-Johnson proposal.

Too many lives are at stake to act without a thorough vetting of health care reform plans--vetting that must include providers, consumers, and all other stakeholders. The nation's essential hospitals remain ready and willing to contribute to that process.

We hope the Senate's decision today opens the door to renewed bipartisan talks on ways to fix the Affordable Care Act. We also urge Congress to immediately turn its attention to imminent cuts to Medicaid disproportionate share hospital payments, the Children's Health Insurance Program, and other programs on which millions of Americans and their hospitals depend.

We urge lawmakers to reach across the aisle for solutions that preserve access to health care and protect hospitals that care for uninsured and other vulnerable people.

About America's Essential Hospitals

America's Essential Hospitals is the leading association and champion for hospitals and health systems dedicated to high-quality care for all, including the most vulnerable. Since 1981, America's Essential Hospitals has initiated, advanced, and preserved programs and policies that help these hospitals ensure access to care. We support members with advocacy, policy development, research, and education.

Our 325 members are vital to their communities, providing primary care through trauma care, disaster response, health professional training, research, public health programs, and other services. They innovate and adapt to lead the broader health care community toward more effective and efficient care.