MHA's Executive Briefing

American Hospital Association-Families USA Advocacy Day

Tuesday, February 13th is the date set for the joint American Hospital Association-Families USA Advocacy Day. The day will begin with a breakfast at 9:30 a.m. and a briefing at 10 a.m. at the Grand Hyatt Washington.

Advocates will focus on the reauthorization of the SCHIP program, pushing back on any proposed Medicaid budget cuts and the issue of uninsured children. Cheryn Baker, vice president for government relations at the Mississippi Hospital Association, will be attending. If you plan on attending, please let us know by contacting Ashley Simmons at (800) 289-8884, (601) 368-3388 or asimmons@mhanet.org.

A flyer for the Advocacy Day is attached below.

Download ahafusa_flyer_4.doc

MHA Fact Sheet: Profitability of Mississippi hospitals

Statistics on the profitability of Mississippi hospitals have been circulating on the radio talk-show circuit in Mississippi. We have heard statements ranging from Mississippi is the most profitable state for hospitals in the nation to our state is in the top five most profitable states. They state that American Hospital Association (AHA) data is the source for their numbers. We have created the fact sheet attached below to show that these numbers are not accurate.

These profit margin numbers were collected for us by DataGen and are straight from Medicare cost report data. If you have any questions, contact Shawn Lea at (800) 289-8884, (601) 368-3237 or slea@mhanet.org.

Download MHAfactsheet-profitability.pdf

Once an enemy, health industry warms to Clinton

When she tried to overhaul the nation's healthcare system as first lady, Hillary Rodham Clinton provoked a fierce reaction from the industry, which mocked her proposal in television advertisements and dispatched lobbyists who ultimately helped kill the plan. But times change. As she runs for re-election to the Senate this year and lays the groundwork for a possible presidential bid in 2008, Clinton is receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from doctors, hospitals, drug manufacturers and insurers.

Read the full article from The New York Times.

September 7 Advocacy Day cancelled

In light of the ongoing national emergency on the Gulf Coast and the accompanying focus on relief efforts, the AHA and the National Association of Public Hospitals have cancelled their joint September 7 Advocacy Day in Washington.

AHA President Dick Davidson spoke for the entire AHA team yesterday when he said, "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the many people affected by the hurricane. With dedicated skill, care and compassion, hospital staff continue to work and care for neighbors even as their own homes and lives are irrevocably changed."

If you have questions about the Advocacy Day cancellation please contact the AHA's Kate Hudson at khudson@aha.org.

AHA Advocacy Day – Wednesday, September 7

The American Hospital Association is coordinating a major Advocacy Day in Washington on Wednesday, September 7. The focus will be on the fall budget debate, including an effort to block expansion of the post-acute care transfer provision, as well as preventing new Medicaid cuts.

The J.W. Marriott has a block of rooms on hold for the meeting. Call Marriott reservations at 800-228-9290 and ask for the room block under "AHA" to receive the special rate. An AHA briefing will be scheduled for noon, followed by afternoon meetings on Capitol Hill. Contact Amy Arrington at 800-289-8884, 601-368-3250 or aarrington@mhanet.org for additional details or regarding your interest in attending this event.