SEATTLE, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Five
organizations that represent Washington
State's largest health care delivery systems, physicians and
providers are stating their opposition to the American Health Care
Act. The Washington State Hospital
Association (WSHA), Washington
State Medical Association (WSMA), Washington Association of
Community and Migrant Health Centers (WACMHC), and the Community
Health Network of Washington
(CHNW), along with its subsidiary non-profit managed care company,
Community Health Plan of Washington (CHPW), are calling on Congress to
reject the House proposal that puts their patients at risk.
Collectively, these groups represent 107 hospitals, 267 clinics,
10,000 physicians and other providers, 315,000 members, and more
than 17 million patient visits a year statewide.
The overriding concern for these organizations is preserving
patient coverage, particularly among the 600,000 Washingtonians (80
percent of whom are working families) who have gained it through
Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The
proposed American Health Care Act does not deliver on this
priority. By eliminating Medicaid expansion and converting to a per
capita block grant system, the results will be less coverage and
fewer benefits, ultimately leading to less healthy
Washingtonians.
Community health centers and hospitals are the backbone of the
state's health care safety net, and their patients will be
negatively impacted by the House plan.
Cassie Sauer, CEO of WSHA said,
"With the historically low uninsured rate of 5.8 percent in
Washington State, our hospitals
have seen uncompensated care drop dramatically as people have been
able to get the care they need before it's an emergency. The
American Health Care Act is projected to drive uninsured rates up
to 15 percent, which will result in our emergency departments being
filled once again with preventable health crises. It would be a
huge blow to the progress we've made in community health."
Leanne Berge, CEO of CHPW and
CHNW said, "This plan takes away the high-quality, cost-effective
coordinated care services that Medicaid provides low-income and
medically vulnerable populations and replaces it with nothing.
There is no doubt that health outcomes will deteriorate, and
communities will suffer."
According to Bob Marsalli, CEO of
WACMHC, "It is no exaggeration to say that Medicaid coverage
literally means the difference between life and death for many of
our community health center patients. The prospect of losing
coverage has caused incredible anxiety and fear among our patients,
but actually losing their Medicaid coverage will have devastating
consequences to their ability to manage their health, care for
their families, and be productive community members."
Jennifer Hanscom, CEO of WSMA
said, "We need adequate funding of our state's Medicaid program to
avoid damaging ripple effects throughout the entire health care
system. But the American Health Care Act puts the funding
obligation for Medicaid onto Washington
State, which is already struggling with serious budget
challenges. It's a threat to our state and our patients."
Together, CHNW, CHPW, WACMHC, WSHA, and WSMA urge the House to
reject the American Health Care Act and develop a plan that
improves our health care system and puts patient coverage at the
forefront. We are eager to be partners with our lawmakers to
discuss health care reforms that make the system better for our
patients, our communities, and our state.
About Community Health Network of Washington (CHNW) Since 1992, Community
Health Network of Washington has
served as a statewide system of community health centers that works
to ensure all Washingtonians have access to medical care and health
insurance coverage. From the provision of medical care, to IT
solutions, to advocacy at the public policy level, CHNW works to
improve individuals' and families' access to health care, by
overcoming barriers including geographic location, insurance status
and income.
About Community Health Plan of Washington (CHPW) Founded in 1992 by a
network of community and migrant health centers in Washington State, Community Health Plan of
Washington is a not-for-profit
health plan. The mission of CHPW is to deliver accessible managed
care services that meet the needs and improve the health of our
communities and to make managed care participation beneficial for
community-responsive providers.
About Washington Association of Community & Migrant
Health Centers (WACMHC) The Washington Association of
Community & Migrant Health Centers is a non-profit organization
formed in 1985 to advocate on behalf of the low-income, uninsured,
and underserved populations of Washington
State served by community health centers. These health
centers serve nearly 1,000,000 Washington residents with preventive and
primary health care and enabling services at more than 250 clinic
sites across the state.
About Washington State
Hospital Association (WSHA) The Washington State Hospital Association works to
improve the health of all Washington
state residents by being active on key issues of policy and
quality. The Triple Aim guides its members and its work, as it
strives to improve the patient experience, improve the health of
populations and reduce the cost of health care.
About Washington State
Medical Association (WSMA) The Washington State Medical Association
represents physicians, physician assistants, residents, fellows and
medical students in all specialties and practice settings across
Washington State. Its
vision is to make Washington the
best place to practice medicine and to receive care. For more
information on the WSMA, visit wsma.org.
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SOURCE Community Health Network of Washington