WSHA was well-represented at this week’s American Hospital Association (AHA) Regional Policy Board (RPB) meeting in Washington, D.C. RPBs play a key role in AHA’s policy formation process. This week’s sessions focused on considering options for Medicaid reform and identifying hospital priorities for an infrastructure package.
While in D.C., WSHA members visited with Sens. Murray and Cantwell, Reps. Newhouse and Kilmer and with the staff of Reps. Herrera-Beutler and Reichert. We focused on five themes:
- Stabilizing the ACA’s individual insurance market (Sen. Murray has a leadership role);
- Reauthorizing the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP);
- Protecting the 340B program;
- Reauthorizing the rural extenders; and
- Opposing additional Medicare payment cuts.
WSHA participants included Cassie Sauer, WSHA; Rod Hochman, MD, Providence St, Joseph Heath; Bryce Helgerson, Legacy Health; Tony McLean, CHI Franciscan; and Craig Marks, PMH. (John Flink, WSHA Federal Lobbyist)
