Hospitals In Focus

Today, more than half of Medicare-eligible beneficiaries—nearly 35 million Americans—are enrolled in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. These plans promise efficiency and added benefits compared to traditional Medicare, but a growing trend of MA payment delays and care denials is fueling concerns about insurer overreach. What’s behind this surge in MA overreach, and what does it mean for providers and...

Today, we are at the high-water mark of health coverage in America. More Americans than ever before benefit from the peace of mind that health insurance affords, with over 90 percent of Americans covered through private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, or the exchanges.  With recently passed legislation and Administration actions that target Medicaid and implement new rules for marketplace enrollees...

Recently passed Medicaid cuts are estimated to increase the number of uninsured by over 10 million. That number climbs to over 16 million when you factor in the upcoming expiration of the enhanced premium tax credits that enable hardworking Americans to afford to purchase their own health insurance from the exchanges. Hospitals serve every patient who walks through their doors, regardless of their...

With the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Congress has taken a major step toward reshaping large parts of the nation’s health care coverage, through cuts, restrictions, and regulatory changes. The new law’s most consequential provisions, like work requirements and provider-related cuts, are not going into effect until 2027 and 2028, leaving room for uncertainty and political recalibratio...

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which was signed into law on July 4, 2025, includes significant changes to Medicaid and the insurance exchange marketplaces that are expected to leave millions of Americans uninsured and significantly reduce resources available to fund care.  In addition to the sweeping changes coming to health care, the enhanced premium changes that help hardworking Americans affor...

Medicaid provides critical care for over 72 million Americans—from children and pregnant women to individuals with disabilities, and seniors. It’s also a lifeline for the facilities that care for them, including hospitals and long-term care providers.  In this episode, Chip Kahn welcomes Clifton Porter Jr., President and CEO of the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted...

As Congress focuses on budget reconciliation and debates over Medicaid dominate the headlines, another major shift in health coverage continues quietly but powerfully—the explosive growth of Medicare Advantage (MA). Now covering more than half of all Medicare beneficiaries, MA plans are transforming the health care landscape in ways that can no longer be ignored. In this episode, Chip Kahn sits do...

Medicaid is making headlines on Capitol Hill, and the debate is about more than just crunching numbers—it’s about people. This joint federal-state Medicaid program is a lifeline for millions of Americans, including children, seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, and low-income adults. From primary care to nursing home services, Medicaid provides critical coverage and support. But today, pol...

“Hospitals in Focus” takes a high-level look at how Americans really feel about two  cornerstones of health coverage in our country: Medicaid and the enhanced premium tax  credits available through the individual marketplace.  Joining Chip Kahn on this episode is Bob Ward, a partner at polling firm Fabrizio Ward,  whose team recently conducted two national surveys examining public opinion on these...

Medicaid, together with the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), forms the backbone of pediatric care in the United States — providing nearly 40 million children with access to routine checkups to life-saving hospital services. But that care is at risk. Congress is considering cuts to Medicaid funding, which could have devastating consequences for kids and the specialized hospitals that ser...

Rural America is a vital part of our nation—rich in culture, community, and resilience. But potential Medicaid cuts coupled with the impending expiration of enhanced tax credits further threatens rural communities’ access to health care and puts the strength of rural communities at risk. In this episode, Chip Kahn is joined once again by Alan Morgan, CEO of the National Rural Health Association, t...

Medicaid provides health coverage for more than 70 million Americans, including children, veterans, seniors, and people with disabilities. But as Congress works toward a reconciliation bill, proposed cuts totaling $880 billion have raised serious concerns about the program’s future and the impacts on patients and providers. In this episode, Chip Kahn sits down with Dr. Bruce Siegel, President and...

Medicaid, the largest health insurance program in the country, provides critical coverage for more than 79 million Americans—including children, pregnant women, seniors, and people with disabilities. As Congress considers ways to achieve $2.5 trillion in deficit reduction, Medicaid is at risk of significant changes and proposals that could seriously harm patient care. In this episode, Chip Kahn si...

With a new Administration and a Republican-controlled Congress stepping into power, a wave of changes is sweeping across Washington. From immigration and military renewal to energy dominance and tax cuts, the agenda is ambitious. But what does this mean for health care policy, hospitals, and patient care? In this episode, Joel White, President and CEO of Horizon Government Affairs, unpacks the evo...

In this episode of Hospitals in Focus , we revisit a vital topic—disaster preparedness and response. Hurricanes Helene and Milton caused devastating impacts across the Southeast, including catastrophic flooding in Asheville, North Carolina. FAH-member HCA Healthcare stepped up to the challenge, and their Mission Hospital became a beacon of resilience, treating over 500 emergency patients in the fi...

Every year, millions of Americans face the life-changing news of a cancer diagnosis. Beyond the battle for survival and recovery, there is another critical fight—the battle to ensure patients and their families have access to affordable care. In this episode, we look at the intersection of health care policy and cancer care with Pam Traxel, Senior Vice President of the American Cancer Society Canc...

As the Federation of American Hospitals (FAH) prepares for a pivotal year ahead, this special episode takes a moment to reflect on the progress made in health care policy and the challenges and opportunities on the horizon. Join host Chip Kahn as he sits down with retiring Executive Vice President of Policy, Steve Speil, to discuss his nearly four decades of experience in health care policy and hi...

In this episode of Hospitals in Focus , host Chip Kahn explores the digital renaissance revolutionizing health care—a golden age of pioneering technologies not seen since the 1960s, when computers first standardized medical records and diagnostics. Today, with nearly everything digitized, organizations are actively discussing the regulatory and ethical frameworks necessary to navigate these advanc...

In this episode of Hospitals in Focus, we’re pulling back the curtain on an often-overlooked  yet truly “critical” aspect of our health care system—the supply chain. It’s the backbone of  our hospitals, ensuring that essential medical supplies reach patients in need. But what  happens when that chain breaks?  Host Chip Kahn is joined by Ed Jones, President and CEO of HealthTrust Performance  Group...

With over nine million veterans enrolled, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is well known for its health care services. However, the VA’s support extends beyond medical care, helping veterans navigate life after military service. The VA has undergone a significant transformation since the establishment of the Veterans Experience Office in 2015, focusing on improving veterans’ experiences thr...

Before the Change Healthcare cyberattack, hospitals were already grappling with insurers' tactics of delaying and denying payments for patient care. The cyberattack only amplified the challenges providers face—not just in delivering care, but also in getting reimbursed for that care. Despite the crisis, insurers continued to use these tactics. Now, six months later, Matt Szaflarski, a director and...

In June, the Supreme Court issued a 6-3 decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo ,  overturning the 40-year-old legal precedent known as the "Chevron doctrine." This doctrine  had allowed federal agencies to interpret ambiguous statutes within their jurisdiction. The  ruling marks a significant shift in the regulatory landscape, with major implications for how  federal agencies operate and...

The work, dedication, and resilience of hospital providers and staff is centered on providing high-quality care for their patients. In this special episode of  Hospitals in Focus , we spotlight two compelling stories of patient care from the frontlines, offering unique perspectives from both a health care provider and patient.  Join us as we hear firsthand from Amy Capella Smith, CEO of Foundation...

Today, we are celebrating the 59th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid being signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson and discussing the profound effect these programs have had in providing health care coverage to the country’s most vulnerable populations. Medicare and Medicaid laid the foundation for public health insurance in the United States, ensuring that the elderly, low-income famili...

Measles, eradicated in the United States in 2000, is making a comeback. Meanwhile, an  estimated 300,000 people died from COVID-19 in cases that could have been prevented  through vaccination. Why are we seeing an uptick in conspiracy theories, misinformation,  and outright science denial? The consequences of losing trust in science are harmful and  even deadly.  Dr. Reed Tuckson, MD, FACP, has de...