On Feb. 2, the American Hospital Association released its advocacy agenda for 2023, which features the group's key priorities for Congress, the Biden administration, regulatory agencies and courts.
The AHA releases its advocacy agenda each year. This year's agenda aims to address challenges hospitals and health systems are facing, including financial strain and workforce shortages, according to the association. It also aims to reduce administrative burden and advance healthcare access, quality, equity and innovation.
The agenda is split into the following focus areas: ensuring access to care and providing financial relief; strengthening the healthcare workforce; advancing quality, equity and transformation; and enacting regulatory and administrative relief.
Here are eight asks of Congress, per the AHA agenda:
Note: This list is not exhaustive.
1. Increased spending on Medicare and Medicaid
2. Protect the 340B drug pricing program
3. Pursue a new "metropolitan anchor hospital" designation
4. Enact federal protections for healthcare workers against violence and intimidation
5. Boost the number of physician residency slots eligible for Medicare funding
6. Revise and refresh CMS' conditions of participation
7. Streamline commercial payer prior authorization practices
8. Make permanent certain telehealth and other flexibilities put in place during the COVID-19 public health emergency
To read the AHA's full agenda, click here.