Navigating the New Healthcare Landscape: Opportunities and Challenges for Hospitals and Health Systems

As the 119th Congress begins its work and President Trump takes office for his second term, hospitals and health systems face a new landscape of opportunities and challenges. With Republicans holding majorities in both the House and Senate, the new administration and Congress will prioritize funding the federal government, raising the debt ceiling, and using reconciliation to push through priorities on taxes, border security, energy, and deficit reduction. These instances present opportunities for hospitals to advocate for their priorities and preserve access to care, while also presenting significant challenges that require a defensive approach.

On the offensive, hospitals and health systems can advocate for extending the Marketplace Premium Tax Credits to ensure millions of Americans can access health insurance, boosting programs that support access to care in rural communities, and providing relief from burdensome policies that take caregivers away from providing patient care and increase costs. On the defensive, hospitals must prevent significant reductions to Medicaid and Medicare funding, protect the 340B Drug Pricing Program from harmful changes, and preserve not-for-profit hospitals' tax-exempt status to continue providing community benefits tailored to their communities' unique needs.

To ensure their voices are heard, hospital and health system leaders should stay engaged with the American Hospital Association (AHA) and the Coalition to Strengthen America’s Healthcare, which will provide timely alerts, information, and advocacy tools. Additionally, hospital leaders should tell their stories to their lawmakers, explaining the impact of policy proposals on their constituents and their ability to provide care. Remaining united as a field is crucial, as a strong, united voice can help hospitals and health systems achieve their advocacy goals.

The new healthcare landscape presents both opportunities and challenges for hospitals and health systems. By staying engaged, advocating for their priorities, and remaining united, hospitals can navigate this new landscape and ensure that their voices are heard in Washington.