The Affordable Care Act significantly reduced Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) funding under the assumption that increasing the number of uninsured Americans would reduce hospital uncompensated care—and therefore the need for DSH funding. This essential funding for safety net hospitals is scheduled to be drastically cut on October 1, 2019. GNYHA’s top Federal legislative priority for 2019 is to delay or repeal Medicaid DSH cuts.
If the cuts go into effect, hospitals in the tristate area will be severely harmed. Medicaid funding to New York State would be reduced by nearly $7 billion over the next six Federal fiscal years, New Jersey’s allotment would be reduced by more than $3.3 billion, and Connecticut’s by more than $1 billion.
GNYHA has been meeting with staff and members of the New York Congressional delegation on Capitol Hill to emphasize the need to address these looming cuts. We have also discussed the issue with House and Senate leadership and the relevant health care committees.
GNYHA is amplifying our Medicaid DSH message on Twitter and requesting that members of Congress do the same. On February 10, Representative Jose Serrano’s (D-NY) office sent out a tweet opposing the cuts. We will continue to pursue this strategy and request that other lawmakers use their social media platforms to discuss the vital need to delay Medicaid DSH cuts. We encourage our members to amplify these tweets and use their social media accounts to raise awareness about the need for a delay.