Washington, D.C. (May 20, 2026) – Charlene MacDonald, President and CEO of the Federation of American Hospitals (FAH), released the following statement on the Proposed Rule on Medicaid State Directed Payments:

“Patients rely on their local hospital to be there for them whenever they need care. A strong, sustainable Medicaid program is essential to maintaining that commitment, especially in rural areas where hospitals are often the largest employer and the only source of care for miles, and state directed payments are a critical part of that equation. We urge CMS to work with us to ensure patient access to care in communities across the country and address the true drivers of health care costs.”

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