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Advocacy Efforts Summary
A dramatic falloff in Medicaid DSH funding caused by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 reduced federal allotments to Ohio's HCAP by approximately 15 percent in Federal Fiscal Year 2003. Left unchecked, this reduction would have seriously threatened many hospitals' ability to care for the indigent and the uninsured.
With passage in Congress of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act, hospital advocates successfully lobbied for a partial restoration of these funds. Reimbursements to Ohio hospitals will be increased by more than $46 million in FFY 04 over FFY 03. The size of Ohio's HCAP (including both hospital assessments and federal funding) will total about $548.4 million. Unless Congress takes further action, Ohio's HCAP funding will remain at this level through FFY 2010. OHA worked in close partnership with its member hospitals, other state hospital associations, and the American Hospital Association to ensure successful DSH relief this year. Hospital advocates should be proud of what their grassroots lobbying efforts accomplished, and we should forget the power of a united voice. If you would like more information on how to become a hospital advocate, please contact Jonathan Archey, OHA's federal relations manager at jonathana@ohanet.org.
Resources
Click the above link for a list of contacts and a brief list of tips for communicating with legislators.
© 2001-2007 OHA. Last updated
December 05, 2007. |
