Advocacy

In Washington and Harrisburg, HAP works to keep hospital priorities at the forefront as policymakers decide key health care issues. HAP works to ensure that policy and legislative initiatives:

Increase access to high-quality care
Strengthen health insurance coverage
Eliminate unnecessary regulatory and statutory barriers to hospital efficiency
Result in fair Medicaid and Medicare payments to hospitals and doctors

HAP’s advocacy agenda supports efforts to provide patients with the right care, at the right time, and in the right setting.

Inside Advocacy

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HAPAC and HAPAC-Federal are the political action committees of HAP. Participation in HAPAC helps HAP communicate to lawmakers the vital role that health care facilities and their employees play in their communities every day. Learn more

Current Advocacy Initiatives

Federal Funding

Pennsylvania hospitals rely on federal funding to preserve care in their communities. Federal dollars keep rural hospitals from closing; help train new doctors and care for elderly and low-income individuals; support medical research, and provide resources to specialty hospitals, such as those that care for children.

Health Care Facility Licensure

Ambulatory surgical facilities, acute care hospitals, specialty hospitals, long-term care facilities, birthing centers, home health agencies, and cancer treatment centers are regulated by the Department of Health to meet state requirements for quality, safety, and efficiency.

Health Insurance Coverage Expansion

Pennsylvania hospitals work daily to preserve the well-being of their communities. A key component of maintaining healthy communities is ensuring access to health care through insurance coverage and sufficient provider capacity.

Hospital Operations and Oversight

Pennsylvania hospitals are regulated by state and federal agencies on their daily hospital operations. Compliance with some of these regulations can be burdensome for hospitals and have significant fiscal implications.

Insurer Market Conduct

Insurer contracts with health care providers are complex. HAP’s position on delivery and health insurance system oversight calls for a balance between public protection and a competitive delivery system and insurance market to assure access to care and fair competition.

Medical Liability Reform

High medical liability costs for Pennsylvania's hospitals and physicians inhibit job growth, increase health care costs, and limit access to medical care. Pennsylvania needs to enact meaningful medical liability reform to preserve access to affordable health care.

State Funding

State funding for Pennsylvania hospitals is critical to ensuring access to care for the commonwealth's residents. State dollars improve hospital technology and infrastructure, educate and train health professionals, and ensure specialty services for communities, including trauma, burn, and obstetrics and neonatal care, and health services in rural areas.

Tax-Exempt Status

Many Pennsylvania hospitals qualify for federal and state tax-exempt status. In return for being classified as tax-exempt, Pennsylvania hospitals provide their communities with medical and wellness services that would otherwise need to be delivered by government and taxpayers.

Workforce and Administrative Requirements

Certain regulatory and legislative proposals impact hospitals’ workforce and budgets. HAP advocates for policies that support a stable and effective workplace. Hospitals need flexibility to respond to changes in the delivery system, and make decisions that ensure quality patient care.

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Advocacy

Inside Advocacy

Join HAPAC Today!

Current Advocacy Initiatives