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Advocacy: as the leading national organization representing essential hospitals--those with a safety-net role in their communities--america's essential hospitals represents our members' perspective before congress and the administration on legislation and regulations vital to their fiscal viability and sustainability.in 2024, we achieved several critical policy victories, including delaying $8 billion in medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) cuts that were scheduled to take effect in october 2024 and subsequently on january 1, 2025. We urged congress to codify our definition of essential hospitals in federal law, advocated for continued flexibility in telehealth delivery, and pushed for maintaining the hospital-at-home program to ensure safe patient care. We also strongly supported the protection of the 340b drug pricing program and fought to protect medicaid and medicare funding to sustain essential hospitals' financial viability and the communities they serve.

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Policy: as part of america's essential hospitals' ongoing efforts to minimize future cuts to key essential hospital funding sources, the association advocated on behalf of its members regarding medicare payment to hospitals for inpatient and outpatient services, including medicare disproportionate share hospital payments; soundness and standardization of quality measures; hospital participation in the 340b drug pricing program; and continuing the provision of medicaid supplemental payments. In particular, we led advocacy to codify an average commercial rate benchmark for medicaid state directed payments (SDPS) in the 2024 final medicaid managed care rule. We published educational materials for members and other stakeholders on the role of SDPS, trends in medicaid policy, and resources to track state-level policy issues important to our members.

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Communications: through coordinated print and online advertising campaigns, as well as robust social media outreach, the association spotlighted the vital role essential hospitals play in their communities. We sustained strong media relations throughout the year, securing frequent coverage in both trade and mainstream publications. We had many mentions in earned media, including op-eds and commentaries authored by the association and its members.to keep members and other stakeholders informed and engaged, we distributed regular electronic newsletters, conducted targeted event marketing for both in-person and webinars, and launched an updated version of our website. We also provided timely alerts and governance communications to support effective member engagement and participation.

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Member services: america's essential hospitals provides a broad range of member services, benefits, and educational opportunities to help essential hospitals thrive in serving their communities. Our offerings include webinars, conferences, distance learning series, professional development programs, technical assistance, and original research, reports, and briefs. These activities foster peer learning, professional connections, support leadership development, and offer forums for members to share innovative strategies for addressing new issues and emerging challenges.in 2024, the association hosted a robust calendar of in-person events, including vital2024 in san diego, two policy assembly meetings in washington, d.c., and the medicaid summit in chicago. These gatherings provided essential hospitals with timely insights, advocacy updates, and opportunities to strengthen collaboration across the network.throughout the year, we remained focused on protecting financial support for essential hospitals amid fiscal constraints. We also expanded programming aimed at supporting hospitals that care for disadvantaged populations and deepened strategic partnerships that promote best practices and efficiencies within essential hospitals.