The past few weeks have been undeniably tough for hospitals not only in Northern & Central California, but throughout California and nationwide.
From looming Medicaid cuts at the federal level to a significant budget shortfall here in California — and cuts at the local level for public health, behavioral health, and community clinic reduction — hospitals are fighting to protect the resources needed to continue providing care in your communities.
Hospital Council understands the strain that this environment creates. Every proposal to cut or redirect funding, as well as every additional regulation, adds more weight to an already heavy load. These debates — whether in Washington, D.C.; Sacramento; or one of our 50 counties — are often framed as “budget issues.” They’re driven not by what is best for patient care, but by competing desires about where and how to spend limited resources. And while the scale and scope of national, statewide, and even local impacts may be difficult to comprehend, your hospitals see the immediate, tangible impact of these decisions. These “budget decisions” mean closed service lines, longer wait times, and reduced access to care for those who need it most.
These are not abstract policy concerns — they are real, immediate consequences that impact patients, providers, and entire communities.
As these struggles play out at the federal and state levels, similar discussions are happening across counties. With proposals that would significantly increase emergency medical services designation fees, the constant reduction of counties’ perceived responsibilities in behavioral health, and the immediate shrinking of public health services, the threats and challenges appear to be coming from all sides.
In times like these, we want you to know that you are not alone!
Hospital Council is part of the OneTeam, which includes the California Hospital Association and our two other Regional Associations. Together, the OneTeam coordinates and implements an advocacy strategy at the local, regional, state, and federal levels of government. The associations are leveraging every resource, connection, and opportunity to advocate on your behalf and, most importantly, on behalf of the patients who depend on our hospitals every single day. But we can’t do this work without the most important resource of all — hospital voices. Your outreach to local, state, and federal elected officials is crucial to our advocacy. Stay tuned for additional opportunities to engage, which will be shared via CHA’s alerts.
This current environment is tough and demanding, but so are our hospitals and our OneTeam.
While the local, regional, state, and federal paths for hospitals are uncertain, one thing could not be more absolute: our resolve to fight for the future of your organization and your patients.