In this week’s graphic, we highlight new analysis from our colleagues at Sg2 that illustrates a framework to help providers evaluate the implications of a changing policy landscape. Potential changes to Medicaid, research funding, immigration, tariffs, site-neutral payment policies, telehealth, hospital-at-home and Affordable Care Act subsidies are being considered in Washington, all with varying degrees of impact for academic medical centers (AMCs), integrated delivery networks (IDNs), community hospitals and rural hospitals. Some of these proposals are more serious than others, with some coming to fruition. Medicaid cuts may pose the greatest threat for all provider organizations, especially depending on an organization’s payer mix. Site-neutral payment policy changes could also immensely impact providers’ finances, especially for AMCs and IDNs. In this time of great uncertainty, identifying the proposals, monitoring the political signals, gauging how a change would impact the organization and planning a response will make it easier to respond if the policy environment shifts. Providers have experienced uncertainty before, from economic downturns to the pandemic, and know how to weather the seemingly impossible.
