Letter to the Editor from the Louisiana Hospital Association – October 7, 2009

Louisiana Hospitals Brace for Impact of Deep Cuts

Dear Editor:

Louisiana’s hospitals and healthcare providers will be facing some of the toughest financial challenges in years because of national healthcare reform, state reductions in reimbursement for Medicaid, federal payment limitations for rural hospitals, and a decrease of federal matching dollars in the Medicaid program. These reductions will limit access to healthcare services, which could lead to overcrowding and longer wait times in our hospital emergency rooms. Our community hospitals may even have to eliminate or reduce some services.

The immediate problem facing the state is the federal match for the Medicaid program, also known as Federal Medical Assistance Percentages (FMAP). The current federal funding formula for our Medicaid program is flawed, because it includes increases in the state’s per capita personal income resulting from public and private recovery dollars that were infused into the state after two of the most devastating and costly hurricanes in the country’s history. The FMAP decrease facing Louisiana in January 2011 is staggering. Without an adjustment to the federal formula, Louisiana stands to lose close to $1.2 billion in healthcare funding for our most vulnerable patients – the poor and the elderly.

When there is a crisis, such as the H1N1 flu, or a natural disaster, such as a hurricane, communities rely on their hospitals to be there 24/7. Our community leaders, business leaders, state and federal officials, and healthcare providers must pull together during this difficult time to avert the impending healthcare crisis facing our state.

Sincerely,

John A. Matessino

President & CEO
Louisiana Hospital Association
9521 Brookline Ave.
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
225-928-0026

Fax: 225-923-1004

jmatessino@lhaonline.org

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