SHM Statement for the Record on the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health Hearing, “Lowering Health Care Costs for All Americans: An Examination of the U.S. Provider Landscape.”
On behalf of the Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM) and the 50,000 hospitalists
practicing across the United States, SHM submits this statement for the record.
We thank the Subcommittee on Health for the opportunity to submit a
statement for the record on one of the most pressing challenges facing
American patients and families: the affordability of hospital-based healthcare.
SHM Joins Sign-On Letter Supporting Full FY27 Funding of Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
To meet the needs of America’s patients, researchers, providers, and health systems, 259 leading organizations call for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to be fully funded at $500 million in FY27 and that the Agency have sufficient staff to manage its statutory obligations.
Request for Information: HHS Health Sector AI RFI
On behalf of the Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM), we appreciate the opportunity to provide comments to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regarding the responsible development, regulation, and adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in clinical care.
SHM Joins Joint Letter Urging DHS To Exempt Health Care Sector From New H-1B Visa Petitions
SHM signs on to joint letter urging DHS to create a health care sector exemption for new H-1B visa petitions to prevent additional strain on the health care workforce.
SHM Replies to Request for Information on MACRA Reform
Hospitalists have a range of experience with participating in the two MACRA pathways (MIPS and Advanced Alternative Payment Models (APMs)), including having been major participants in the Bundled Payment for Care Improvement models. It is from these perspectives that we offer our comments on your questions.
SHM Joins Joint Letter Urging Congressional Oversight on New Childhood Vaccine Recommendations
The undersigned organizations, representing health care clinicians, public health
professionals, scientists, patients, and family advocates, urge you to conduct swift and
robust oversight regarding the abrupt changes to the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule
announced on Jan. 5, 2026. It is essential that action is promptly taken to protect vaccine
availability and coverage for all previously recommended immunizations for all families,
including through the Vaccines for Children program.
SHM Reaffirms Support of Prior Authorization Reform
SHM signs multi-stakeholder letter in strong support of (H.R. 3514/S. 1816), the “Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2025” which would streamline and standardize prior authorization requirements within the Medicare Advantage (MA) program, addressing one of the most persistent barriers to timely, medically necessary care for America’s seniors.
SHM Leads Multispecialty Effort to Stop Facility Based Practice Expense Cuts
Hospitalists face an estimated 7% cut to their Medicare reimbursement due to the PE reduction. This will significantly decrease available resources for patient-focused quality improvement efforts, innovation, and clinician recruitment, which are all critical for purposes of delivering high quality care and maintaining patient access. Congress must act immediately to stop this arbitrary cut prior to its implementation on January 1, 2026.
SHM and ACPA Partner in Expressing Concern over Aetna Claims Process
Aetna’s proposed inpatient claims process presents as reducing administrative burden, it effectively redefines inpatient and observation, undermining statutory protections and Medicare’s own coverage rules.
SHM Supports Hospital Inpatient Services Modernization Act (H.R.4313/S.2237)
This legislation would provide much-needed stability and certainty to Hospital at Home Programs by extending waiver flexibilities through 2030 — thereby avoiding another cliff that Hospital at Home programs are currently experiencing after the current authorities expired on September 30, 2025.