Hospitals need help. And last week, hospital leaders made sure Washington, D.C., heard that message loud and clear.
U.S. Representatives David Valadao (R, CA-20) and Vince Fong (R, CA-21) invited hospital CEOs and executives across Fresno, Tulare, and Kings counties to meet directly with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz, MD.
Our Central Valley hospital leaders delivered a consistent message that is echoed by hospitals across California:
- Rural Health Transformation Program funding: While recent announcements support innovation, hospitals flagged a critical gap that the funding that doesn’t cover the real-world costs of launching and sustaining new programs.
- Federal funding cuts: Hospital leaders emphasized the urgency of approving the hospital fee program, a financial lifeline for hospitals already operating on razor-thin margins.
- Ongoing financial and workforce pressures: From staffing shortages to rising costs, hospitals made clear that Central Valley patients need a greater investment instead of continued cuts that weaken a core pillar of California’s infrastructure.
These conversations are not just one-time talking points. Throughout the year, hospitals will continue engaging policymakers at every level of local, regional, state, and federal government. Those relationships are the backbone of the associations’ advocacy work, and the challenges ahead only underscore how essential they are to all who depend on high-quality and affordable health care.
The ongoing engagement reminds us why having trusted voices in government matters and can make all the difference for your hospitals and the communities they serve. That’s why, this week, as we honor the life and service of U.S. Representative Doug LaMalfa (R, CA-1), it is also a moment to reflect on the importance of strong champions in government. A lifelong Californian, Rep. LaMalfa understood the vital role hospitals play in their communities and consistently fought for his constituents during both his time in Congress and his earlier service in the California Assembly and Senate.
We will miss Rep. LaMalfa’s friendship, service, and passion for not only the area he represented for so many years, but also for California and the country.