Health Care Reform - Seek health care reform that incorporates the following tenets:
The good health of all Pennsylvanians must be the priority.
Individual patients must be the core focus of the health care system.
The health care system must work for all Pennsylvanians.
The best elements of our health care system must be preserved and enhanced.
The focus must be on improving quality, coordination, and efficiency of care.
Health Care Financing - Seek fair and adequate financing and insurance practices
Prevent Medicaid payment cuts to hospitals and seek equitable payment policies.
Advocate for state initiatives to increase access to health care coverage for the uninsured.
Seek additional funds to improve access to obstetrical and neonatal care services.
Advocate for greater inclusion of hospitals in economic stimulus programs.
Advocate for insurer accountability to advance fair and responsible insurance practices, including any consolidation of health insurance companies.
Protect the tax-exempt status of nonprofit hospitals.
Seek continued commitment of tobacco settlement funds for health related purposes.
Medical Liability - Contain costs and preserve access to health care services
Seek continuation of Mcare abatement and retirement of the Mcare Fund.
Seek joint and several liability reform and limits on non economic market.
Promote less costly and more efficient methods to resolve liability disputes.
Quality and Patient Safety - Assist hospitals improving the quality and patient safety
Secure new funding sources for hospitals to improve quality, safety, and efficiency of care through capital investment and new technology.
Seek legislation that establishes standards for quality and access for health care facilities regardless of setting or ownership.
Seek legislation that prohibits health care practitioner self referrals.
Workforce Issues - Assist hospitals in retention and recruitment of staff
Advocate for expansion nursing/allied health workers’ education capacity.
Advocate for initiatives that ensure an adequate supply of physicians.
Oppose legislation that would exacerbate workforce shortages, prevent health care workers from practicing to the fullest potential of clinical capabilities, or impose additional administrative burdens, such as, prohibition of mandatory overtime and staff ratios.
