Hospitals launch ad campaign against further funding cuts

The American Hospital Association, Federation of American Hospitals, National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems and several other lobbies for inpatient care providers have embarked on an extensive ad campaign to stem further payment cuts to hospitals, reports AHA News Today.

The print ad, entitled "Enough is Enough," discusses some $155 billion in payment reductions it claims the hospital and related sectors have already had to endure.

The ad warns that continued funding cuts would lead to longer waits for care, shuttered emergency rooms and reductions in hospital staff, among other changes. Those constituents most impacted would include children, seniors and disabled Americans.

"Hospitals are already doing more with less. There are other ways to reduce the deficit--don't hurt patient care," the ad concludes.

The advertisement was published this week in several newspapers in the Washington, D.C. area, with the intent of getting the attention of lawmakers and policy analysts.

To learn more:
- read the AHA News Now article
- look at the advertisement (.pdf)