As lawmakers and President Barack Obama discuss possible changes to federal entitlement programs as part of a larger deal to avoid the fiscal cliff, provider groups are making their case loud and clear – cuts are not welcome. The fiscal cliff is the mix of expiring tax breaks and automatic spending reductions set to begin in January.

In a document provided to lawmakers, the American Hospital Association said, “providers already face billions of dollars in Medicare and Medicaid payment cuts, and additional reductions could jeopardize beneficiaries’ access to care. True entitlement reform and approaches to change the health care delivery system are needed – not provider cuts.” Read the full article here.