Statement of:
Rick Pollack
Executive Vice President, AHA
Washington D.C.


[On June 26, 2008], Congress took an important step to preserve care for millions of patients by putting on hold the six Medicaid regulations that would have shredded the nation's health care safety net. By delaying the Administration's regulations, Congress has protected important resources-- resources that help train America's next generation of doctors and help ensure that hospitals remain strong and able to provide the necessary care the communities they serve rely upon. The moratorium also preserves access to rehabilitation and case management services for people with disabilities and specialized medical transportation to school for children, as well as many other important services. We thank Congress for putting first the needs of the 57 million children, low-income seniors and disabled who depend on Medicaid for their health care.

However, we are disappointed that Congress did not include the outpatient regulation in its moratorium. This regulation will jeopardize important community-based services, including screening, diagnostic and dental services for children as well as lab and ambulance services. We will continue to work with Congress to protect Medicaid for the patients and communities America's hospitals serve.

About AHA
The AHA is a not-for-profit association of health care provider organizations and individuals that are committed to the health improvement of their communities. The AHA is the national advocate for its members, which includes 5,000 hospitals, health care systems, networks, other providers of care and 37,000 individual members. Founded in 1898, the AHA provides education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends. For more information, visit the Web site at www.aha.org.

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