HOSPITAL FUNDING: Coalition Launches Ad Campaign
Several hospital associations today launched an industry coalition -- the Coalition to Protect America's Health Care -- and announced a $35 million advertising campaign to urge Congress to pass a second Balanced Budged Act relief bill, CongressDaily/A.M. reports. Although Congress last fall passed a bill to give back $16 billion to hospitals and other health care facilities, the coalition is now seeking at least $45 billion more over five years. Television ads, funded by most of the nation's hospitals, will appear nationally and in selected local markets. A print ad has already appeared in major newspapers around the country. The ad states: "A few years back, the government cut hospital funding to help balance the Federal budget. But the cuts went much deeper than even Congress and the White House intended, and now vital medical services are being eliminated." It continues: "Today, thanks to a strong economy, we have not only erased the budget deficit, but we are reporting a record budget surplus. But the cuts continue ... and they are projected to get deeper. Call the White House and Congress. Tell them to restore funding to hospitals." The House Commerce Committee held a hearing on the issue last Wednesday, and the House Ways and Means Committee is expected to hold a hearing this week. Members of both committees said "they are open to passing another bill" (7/24).
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