LETTER: Federal proposal hurts hospitals

To the Telegram:

Health care provided by local professionals is something we all value, and Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Hospital of Superior is proud to provide care to our local community. However, proposals currently being discussed in Washington D.C. would negatively impact all hospitals, including rural hospitals like Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Hospital in Superior.

The Congressional “super committee” is crafting proposals to find more than $1 trillion in deficit savings — and many of those proposals are targeted directly at hospitals. The proposals currently being considered include a variety of payment reductions or other policy changes under the existing Medicaid and Medicare programs, all of which negatively impact hospitals’ ability to serve their communities and patients.

While we understand the need for shared sacrifice during this time of fiscal hardship, hospitals are already facing billions in payment reductions resulting from previously enacted federal policies. Despite declining reimbursements, Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Hospital of Superior continues to focus on the delivery of high quality, cost-effective care — we are proud to serve our community in this way.

Congressman Sean Duffy and other members of our Wisconsin delegation have long been strong supporters of rural health care, and we thank them for this support. We encourage our delegation to stand with us in opposition to Congressional proposals that negatively impact Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Hospital of Superior’s ability to care for our community.

Mary Shaw, administrator

Essentia Health-St. Mary’s

Hospital of Superior

Tags: opinion, letters, health