Election Day will be here before you know it, and who you choose to represent you in both the state and federal government will have a huge impact on our healthcare system. Healthcare is one of the most important issues in America today, ranking as the number one concern in a recent Gallop poll - greater than crime, race, and even unemployment. In Western New York, where the hospitals and healthcare systems are the top two employers in the area, the stakes are even higher.
Pandion Healthcare represents 17 hospitals across Rochester and the Finger Lakes, and we work alongside state and national organizations to ensure that our members are informed on legislative matters that impact our region. Before you head out to cast your vote, we’d like to get you up to speed on the most important topics in healthcare to date.
Federal Issues
No doubt, there will continue to be major changes in federal health care policy. There were two major health-related provisions contained within President Trump’s sweeping overhaul of the tax code - the elimination of the ACA’s individual mandate and an estimated $1.45 trillion increase in the federal deficit. Pandion is concerned that due to the increase in debt, public programs like Medicare and Medicaid may be targeted for cuts.
Pandion works closely with the American Hospital Association on these issues. Both organizations believe in providing access to quality, affordable healthcare, and promoting community partnerships. Therefore, we urge our representatives in Congress to:
- Sustain gains in healthcare coverage. Advance alternatives to the individual coverage mandate and ensure the stability of the health insurance marketplaces.
- Protect patient access to care. Protect vital federal funding for Medicare and Medicaid. Prevent cuts to the 340B drug savings program. Protect rural communities’ access to care by rejecting proposals to change the critical access hospital (CAH) program.
- Advance health system transformation. Use technology in new and innovative ways. Invest in health care infrastructure. Expand access to telehealth by providing Medicare coverage for services. Protect hospitals from cyberattacks.
- Enhance quality and patient safety. Increase funding for opioid treatment and education. Reduce health care disparities through dedicated programs and research. Address the social determinants of health.
- Promote regulatory relief. Reduce administrative activities related to regulatory compliance so clinicians can spend more time on patients rather than paperwork.
State Issues
In New York, the political balance of power in the state Senate is at stake in this upcoming election. Pandion works very closely with the Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS) on a multitude of issues before the state government.
Some of the victories from this past legislative session include:
- Establishing a policy for the routine care of healthy newborns. Previously, the attending physician had to order any route care or testing, which often led to delays. This bill would authorize registered nurses to initiate routine care. (A.9950/S.8774)
- Addressing clinical laboratory workforce needs. Previously, the qualifications set for clinical laboratory supervisors resulted in understaffed hospital laboratories. This bill would align the experience requirements for clinical laboratory supervisors with the current national guidelines and best practices. (A.10781/S.7521)
- Expanding organ donation. Multiple organ donation-related bills passed the Legislature, including a bill that would protect living organ donors from insurance discrimination. (S.2496-B/A.297-C)
Moreover, there was a harmful bill that failed to pass the Legislature during the 2018 session - mandatory nurse staffing ratios (A.1532/S.3330). This bill would mandate specific, statewide staffing ratios in hospitals and nursing homes. Pandion and HANYS strongly believe that staffing decisions should remain within local hospitals and nursing homes – they should not be dictated by a one-size-fits-all mandate. Pandion joined the Coalition for Safe & Affordable Care in strongly urging the Legislature to reject the bill. Staffing ratios will continue to be front and center in the 2019 state Legislative session.
We know the public is engaged on the issue of health care. According to a Kaiser Health Tracking Poll, 63% of Americans say that a candidate’s position on pre-existing condition protections will impact their vote. Also, one in five Americans say a family member has been addicted to prescription pain killers. The current state of healthcare is in flux, and who you choose to elect will have a significant role in shaping the availability and affordability of healthcare.
Pandion Healthcare will hold a Candidates Forum on October 24 at the Rochester Academy of Medicine. We’re looking forward to hearing local candidates’ views on the issues, and we hope that Rochester area voters will take their views into consideration when casting their ballots in November. Information will be posted on our website at https://www.pandionalliance.com/.
Travis Heider is president and CEO of Pandion Healthcare: Education and Advocacy, a not-for-profit 501(c)3 association whose membership comprises 17 hospitals and their related health systems in the nine counties of Monroe, Livingston, Ontario, Wayne, Seneca, Yates, Allegany, Steuben and Chemung. The association works closely with the Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS) and the American Hospital Association (AHA), collaborating on many issues and activities.