More than $6 billion at stake—Senate plan puts hospitals and access to care at risk
PHOENIX, ARIZ. — President Trump has consistently stated that budget reductions should not come at the expense of Medicaid, which serves our most vulnerable Arizonans. While the House version of HR1 was not without flaws, it represented a significantly stronger commitment to that principle than the version passed this morning by the Senate.
We urge members of the House to stand firm, to honor the President’s directive to prioritize the protection of our most vulnerable populations, particularly those living and working in rural communities who depend on continued access to hospitals for their essential healthcare services.
The repercussions of the Senate action would be far-reaching. We estimate Arizona’s healthcare system would lose over $6 billion over the next seven years. In other words, more than 55% of Arizona hospitals would be operating in the red. Hospitals will be, at best, forced to restrict services such as obstetrics, behavioral healthcare and other complex services, and at worst, will close their doors all together. Access to care will be reduced for everyone in the community, not just those enrolled in Medicaid/AHCCCS.
We implore lawmakers to consider the unintended consequences of these decisions and to proceed with a commitment to protecting access to care for all Arizonans, especially those who are most vulnerable. While most members of Congress are not medical doctors, they would be wise to remember the implications of the Hippocratic oath, "First, do no harm..."
# # #
About the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association
AzHHA is the association giving Arizona hospitals a voice to collectively build better healthcare and health for Arizonans. As the champion for healthcare leadership in Arizona, AzHHA and its member hospitals explore ideas and take collaborative action at the state capitol, in hospitals and at home to attain the best healthcare outcomes for our community. Above all else, we put people and patients first through Better Care, Better Health and Lower Costs. Visit https://www.azhha.org for more information.