December 3, 2024 – Slinger, Wi – A recent report that one-third of our state’s hospitals are losing money providing care is very concerning.
Wisconsinites rely heavily on our hospitals, which are the only facilities that provide 24/7 medical care. Wisconsinites visited emergency departments nearly 2.4 million times last year. Nationally, most visits, 61 percent, occur after normal business hours and on weekends when other clinics are closed.
The financial challenges our hospitals face should give policymakers pause. But instead, some are pushing drastic cuts. This month lawmakers announced a plan to impose “site-neutral” cuts on hospitals, which would slash up to $140 billion from Medicare and put seniors’ access to care at risk.
As a cancer survivor, I know how important our hospitals are. It was at my local hospital that I received chemotherapy, check-ups, and follow-up care. During treatment I made many unplanned emergency visits. Only by the grace of God and reliable access to care am I here today.
Whether a person is fighting a serious disease or a common illness, we all deserve access to quality healthcare. As many Wisconsin hospitals teeter on a financial cliff, policymakers should be providing support—not working against them.
Tiffany Koehler
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