The Nebraska Hospital Association is urging Congress to reconsider and reverse federal Medicaid funding cuts, warning they could threaten access to health care across Nebraska. “Nebraska’s rural hospitals are facing uncertain futures with increasing costs, workforce shortages, and red tape by big insurance,” said Jeremy Nordquist, President and CEO of the Nebraska Hospital Association.
“Lawmakers now have an opportunity to re-examine cuts to health care before they further exacerbate the financial fragility of our state’s health care system.” Nordquist says lawmakers have an opportunity to address the reductions before they further weaken the state’s health care system.
A key concern is cuts to Medicaid’s State-Directed Payment Program, which helps provide additional funding to hospitals. Nordquist says Medicaid funding helps hospitals keep emergency rooms open, provide maternal care and retain employees. He says reductions affect the entire health care system, not just patients enrolled in Medicaid.
A recent poll commissioned by the hospital association found 91% of Nebraskans consider Medicaid funding an important legislative priority, while 79-percent support additional funding for Nebraska hospitals.
Nordquist says the association is ready to work with state and federal lawmakers to protect health care services and the long-term stability of Nebraska communities.