WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Rob Menendez (NJ-08) has co-sponsored the Reinforcing Essential Health Systems for Communities Act, introduced by Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) and Congressman David Valadao (CA-22). The bill establishes an "essential health system" designation within federal law, creating a pathway to streamline access to crucial funding, grants, and federal support for hospitals operating in underserved communities.
“At the heart of our communities, essential healthcare facilities serve as lifelines for countless individuals in need," said Congressman Menendez. “It's imperative that we empower these vital institutions with the tools they need to fulfill their life-saving missions. The Reinforcing Essential Health Systems for Communities Act offers a critical pathway for federal assistance to flow directly to these indispensable providers.”
"We are grateful to Representative Menendez for supporting this important piece of legislation that will hopefully provide a new financial lifeline for safety net hospitals like those operated by CarePoint Health," said President and CEO of CarePoint Health, Achintya Moulick, MD, MBA, MCh. "Having a dedicated method of identifying streams of revenue to hospitals that need the most aid is a step in the right direction towards providing assistance to community hospitals.
"Safety net hospitals continue to face significant financial challenges due to insufficient state and federal funding, along with ever increasing inflationary costs including supply-chain, labor, and pharmaceuticals," said Vice President of Marketing, Strategy & Patient Experience of CarePoint Health, Justin Drew. "We hope this new designation will create a more efficient pipeline to provide the necessary funds so that essential community hospitals like CarePoint Health can continue to serve patients with the high-quality and compassionate care they deserve."
The Reinforcing Essential Health Systems for Communities Act would create a new designation, “essential health system,” in federal law. The designation could be used by lawmakers to better target funding, health equity initiatives, and public health resources to support these nonprofit facilities that serve traditionally vulnerable, under-resourced communities.
For the text of the bill, please click here.
