AHA Statement: ‘Prevent Backdoor Cuts’

In the day following the posting of IPPS Final Rule by CMS, the American Hospital Association (AHA) issued a strong statement urging the industry to oppose the payment cuts proposed by CMS.

"Cutting payments for services for America's seniors will put in jeopardy hospitals' ability to care, not only for Medicare patients, but also for anyone who comes through the doors. We must work together as a field and with Congress to send a clear message – cuts to hospitals services threaten care for the elderly and disabled covered by Medicare," the AHA statement read.

As the AHA has previously stated, the association opposes the "behavioral offset" cuts that will amount to almost $20 billion over five years. In addition, AHA also opposes the freezing of capital payments to hospitals for purchasing high-tech equipment and information systems, as well the elimination of the 3 percent add-on for hospitals in large urban areas.

"All told, proposed cuts to capital payments that keep the latest medical technology available for patients will reach nearly $1 billion over the next five years."

The AHA statement can be read in its entirety here.