With 2012 being a Presidential election year, the President, the U.S. Senate, and U.S. House will debate legislation that will demonstrate differences in each political party. The Republican-controlled House will continue to highlight concerns with the Affordable Care Act and the Democratic-controlled Senate will push legislation around middle-class tax cuts. The federal deficit will continue to be a lightening rod putting federal payments to hospitals at risk.

1. Protecting federal payments to hospitals and physicians - The Congressional Budget Office projects that federal deficits will continue to increase and the federal debt will reach 90 percent of Gross Domestic Product in 2020. President Obama and Congressional leaders will continue to propose legislation to reduce federal spending. Proposals include reducing or eliminating some payments to hospitals and physicians for Medicare services.
2. Implementing the new federal health reform law - Much of the specific implementation criteria is to be determined by the Department of Health and Human Services. It will be critical for hospitals to remain engaged in shaping these policies, such as funding for new delivery systems and workforce. Congress will play a vital role in overseeing the new criteria and Republican leadership will continue to make attempts to “repeal and replace” several provisions supported by the hospital community.
3. Enacting medical liability reform - The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that the tort reform would reduce the federal deficit by $54 billion between 2010-2019. The CBO estimates that medical liability reforms could lower medical liability costs by 10 percent. HAP will continue to work with members of the delegation to ensure medical liability reform remains a priority.
4. Maintaining a strong workforce - Hospitals need a regulatory environment that allows for flexibility in the workplace, removes barriers to care, and accountability with patients and the public. HAP will oppose mandatory nurse-patient staffing ratio legislation and “card check” legislation.
5. Promoting hospital efforts to improve quality - Hospitals continue to strive to provide patients with affordable hospital care while increasing their quality of care. HAP will continue to educate and promote the unique policies of Pennsylvania hospitals surrounding quality initiatives.
6. Improving physician and health care professional recruitment and retention - Pennsylvania faces a shortage of physicians and other health care professionals. This will occur as health reform requires more health care workers, while our patient population is getting older, and our caregivers are preparing to retire. Health care professional recruitment and retention must be a high priority in order to ensure that all Pennsylvanians have access to health care services.