As health care providers, our foremost responsibility is to patients. Every decision we make, and every policy we advocate for, is ultimately in the service of improving care and outcomes for the people and communities we serve. With this in mind, MHA members developed three strategic priorities designed to guide our efforts in the coming months—priorities designed to enhance patient care, ensure access, and support the sustainability of our health care system.
These priorities emerged from thoughtful discussions with our Board of Trustees and G8 members, who provided valuable insights on the most pressing challenges their hospitals face. Each of these priorities is rooted in our commitment to patient-centered care and will drive our advocacy and policy initiatives moving forward, including:
Payer Denials & Accountability
Patients deserve timely access to the care they need, free from the delays and denials that can result from payer practices. Our focus on holding payers accountable is about ensuring that reimbursement rates are fair and that denials do not obstruct patient care.
Rising Costs of Essential Physician Coverage
Rising costs associated with maintaining a robust medical staff strain hospital resources. We are highlighting the financial pressures of subsidizing specialists and other physicians as we pursue adequate reimbursement and fair market practices by payers and private equity firms. This will directly benefit patients by ensuring that they have access to the specialized care they need when they need it.
Policies to Support the Financial Health of Hospitals
The financial sustainability of our hospitals is crucial to ensure that patients have access to the services they need. We are advocating for policies both in the current model and in AHEAD that provide hospitals with the flexibility to manage their resources effectively, prioritize patient care, and support the ongoing innovation necessary to support the needs of our communities.
Thank you for your ongoing support and dedication to the mission of advancing health and health care in our state. Together, we will continue to drive positive change and achieve our shared goals.
Melony G. Griffith
President & CEO