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Bush’s Budget Is a “Code Blue” for Hospitals

by The American Hospital Association - 02/07/07 2:54 PM ET

With reductions to Medicare and Medicaid reaching nearly $100 billion over the next five years, important hospital care for some of America’s most vulnerable patients—children, seniors and the disabled—is in jeopardy. Our nation has an obligation to care for the most vulnerable populations and hospitals play an important part in that care keeping our doors open 24/7. Unfortunately, the budget proposed by President Bush includes deep cuts to essential health programs and that’s a “Code Blue

As America begins a national conversation on health care reform, this budget sends the wrong message to patients and the hospitals they count on. Comprehensive reform should include universal coverage, coordinated care and wellness.

Devastating cuts to care providers is not reform.