The Federation of American Hospitals (FAH) sent a letter today to leaders in the House and Senate outlining several key priorities for the next government funding and/or COVID-19 supplemental package, including support for the uninsured and frontline caregivers.

“Non-emergency procedures are once again being delayed or cancelled as COVID-19 spikes in multiple hotspots. The mental and physical toll of COVID-19 has put an unprecedented strain on our workforce, while the contagious nature of Omicron threatens to sideline critically needed health care providers. To ensure that hospitals continue to be able to meet the multitude of challenges we face, we respectfully urge Congress to consider the following recommendations as components of the next government funding and/or COVID-19 supplemental package,” wrote FAH President and CEO Chip Kahn.

The letter specifically urges Congress to:

• Completely restore and explicitly link the full 2% Medicare sequester moratorium to the continuance of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE)
• Ensure funds remain available for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) COVID-19 Uninsured Program
• Prioritize measures to support frontline health care providers and maintain a robust workforce in both the short and long term
• Ensure the long-term fiscal viability of rural hospitals and the services they provide to patients in their communities.

The complete letter can be found HERE.

It was sent to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, as well as other leaders on Capitol Hill.