Medicaid provides critical funding for essential hospitals. The joint role of the federal government and states in defining how Medicaid pays providers, and the funding of those payments, creates both opportunities and tremendous complexity. This session described the fundamentals of the federal, state, and local roles in Medicaid funding and payments.

Speaker(s):
Sarah Mutinsky, JD, MPH
Founding Senior Advisor, Eyman Associates
Washington Counsel, America’s Essential Hospitals

The COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) brought important temporary changes to the Medicaid program, including a requirement that states keep Medicaid beneficiaries enrolled in coverage for the duration of the PHE as a condition of receiving a 6.2 percent Federal Medical Assistance Percentage increase. The end of the PHE will bring significant considerations for providers, beneficiaries, and states. Attendees learned how essential hospitals can prepare for the end of Medicaid policies attached to the PHE.

Speaker(s):
Jill Hayden
Director
Sellers Dorsey

Leesa Allen
Director
Sellers Dorsey

The COVID-19 public health emergency has led to significant burnout among the health care workforce, including at essential hospitals. Attendees learned about recent state policy initiatives to mitigate current and future workforce challenges, and hear how essential hospitals are responding.

Speaker(s):
Erin O’Malley
Senior Director of Policy
America’s Essential Hospitals

Bill Ryan
Vice President, Government Relations and Public Affairs
Einstein Healthcare Network

Essential hospitals are leaders in advancing equitable care for all. As policymakers look to advance equity, numerous efforts are underway to define and measure equity at the hospital level. Attendees explored recent federal efforts to develop and implement equity measures, and discover how essential hospitals demonstrate their commitment to equity.

Speaker(s):
Maryellen Guinan, Esq.
Policy Manager
America’s Essential Hospitals

Thea James, MD
Vice President of Mission and Associate Chief Medical Officer
Boston Medical Center

Impending physician shortages, particularly in marginalized communities, make the growth of medical residency programs critical to the future health of our country. In late 2021, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services finalized several new Medicare graduate medical education policies implementing provisions of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. These new policies included an application process for the distribution of 1,000 new residency slots during a five-year period. This session explored these recent policy developments of interest to essential hospitals.

Presenter:
Shahid Zaman, Esq.
Policy Manager
America’s Essential Hospitals