Protecting Teaching Hospitals from Disproportionate Impact of Cuts

Teaching Hospitals have a unique role.  They not only train the next generation of healthcare providers in the use of cutting edge technology and treatments, but also provide care to safety-net patients throughout the United States.  Over the last few years, as Congress and the Administration have considered various budget proposals to reduce the federal deficit, they have often proposed cuts without regard to the unique impact on teaching hospitals and the underserved populations these hospitals treat.  Lewis-Burke has worked with clients to ensure that federal agencies, Congress, staff, and other relevant individuals understand the role teaching hospitals play in the healthcare infrastructure, and how proposals often disproportionately and unfairly impact teaching hospitals.  For example, many congressional staffers did not take into consideration that cutting indirect medical education (IME), proposed in several budget measures, unfairly targeted teaching hospitals.  Nor did they fully realize the complexity of this funding as payment for care provided to patients.  Lewis-Burke helped clients develop a strategy to convey this message, and helped develop strategies to advocate against other funding reductions such as cuts to outpatient hospital departments.