Northern Metropolitan Hospital Association Inc

NORTHERN METROPOLITAN HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION REPRESENTS AND SUPPORTS EFFORTS OF THE HOSPITALS IN THE HUDSON VALLEY REGION TO ACHIEVE THEIR COLLECTIVE GOAL OF SUSTAINING EXCELLENCE IN HOSPITAL SERVICES, THROUGH THE PROVISION OF A RANGE OF SERVICES, PRIMARILY FOCUSING ON ADVOCACY, THAT FULLY MEETS THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES THAT LIVE AND WORK IN THE REGION.

STATE: THE NORTHERN METROPOLITAN HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION (NORMET) AND ITS MEMBER HOSPITALS WORKED WITH THE HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK STATE AND NEW YORK'S ALLIED REGIONAL HOSPITAL ASSOCIATIONS THROUGHOUT 2022 TO ENSURE MEMBER HOSPITALS CONTINUED TO HAVE THE FLEXIBILITIES AND RESOURCES NEEDED TO RESPOND TO THE ONGOING COVID PANDEMIC, MEETING WEEKLY WITH DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH LEADERSHIP REGARDING A VARIETY OF ISSUES RELATED TO THE VACCINE MANDATE, WORSENING WORKFORCE SHORTAGE, AND MONTHLY EXTENSIONS OF EXECUTIVE ORDER 4, WHICH PROVIDED WORKFORCE FLEXIBILITIES RELATED DIRECTLY TO THE WORKFORCE SHORTAGE. ACHIEVING A STATE BUDGET REASONABLE TO NORMET MEMBER HOSPITALS WAS A MAJOR FOCUS IN THE EARLY MONTHS OF 2022. EFFORTS RESULTED IN A ROLL BACK OF THE 2021 MEDICAID CUTS, A RATE INCREASE FOR 2022, REFORM OF THE MEDICAID GLOBAL CAP, SECURING TELEHEALTH PERMANENT PAYMENT PARITY, A HEALTHCARE WORKER BONUS PROGRAM, FUNDING FOR DISTRESSED HOSPITALS, AND CAPITAL GRANTS. DURING THE POST BUDGET SEASON, NORMET CONTINUED ITS WORK WITH LEGISLATORS, KEY REGULATORS, AND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH LEADERSHIP TO RETAIN A FAVORABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR HOSPITALS. ACHIEVEMENTS INCLUDED A VETO OF AN EXPANSION OF THE WRONGFUL DEATH STATUTE, AS WELL AS ADVANCEMENTS IN THE AREA OF MANAGED CARE REFORM, NULLIFICATION OF SINGLE PAYER MOVEMENT, AND HELPING MEMBERS IMPLEMENT THE 2021 CLINICAL STAFFING COMMITTEE LAW, WHILE CONTINUING TO PUSH AGAINST ESTABLISHMENT OF RIGID ICU AND CCU STAFFING RATIOS.

FEDERAL: NORMET AND ITS MEMBER HOSPITALS, ALONG WITH THE HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK STATE AND NEW YORK'S ALLIED REGIONAL HOSPITAL ASSOCIATIONS AND THE AMERICAN HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION, CONTINUED TO URGE THE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THE PROVIDER RELIEF FUND, AN EXTENDED DELAY IN MEDICARE SEQUESTRATION CUTS AND AN EXTENDED TIMELINE FOR MEDICARE ADVANCE/ACCELERATED PAYMENT PROGRAM LOAN REPAYMENT. NORMET ALSO CALLED FOR HIGHER MEDICARE RATES FOR THE UPCOMING FEDERAL FISCAL YEAR AND RESTORATION OF 340 B CUTS FOLLOWING A FAVORABLE COURT RULING. NORMET ACTIVELY ENGAGED WITH THE WHITE HOUSE ABOUT PROPOSED REGULATIONS GOVERNING OUT-OF-NETWORK PAYMENT DISPUTES, INCREASING MEDICARE REIMBURSEMENT RATES IN THE FINAL PAYMENT RULE, AND INVESTIGATING PRICE GOUGING BY STAFFING AGENCIES.