Crawford Statement on Baptist Health Efficiency Announcement

Congressman Rick Crawford (R-AR) issued the following statement after Baptist Health, one of the largest Arkansas-owned health providers in the state, announced that it would eliminate approximately 170 positions across its organization, representing roughly 2.5% of its total workforce:

“ObamaCare’s approach is already beginning to have a negative effect on job creation and growth across Arkansas. With Baptist Health’s announcement, they have reaffirmed what I have long argued – this law is deeply flawed and creates even more uncertainty for middle class families who are trying to navigate the complex maze of ObamaCare. I believe that we should delay all portions of ObamaCare while taking more time to examine the impact this deeply flawed law will have on our entire economy.

“Adding a new $1.3 trillion entitlement program while the debt approaches $17 trillion is irresponsible and a total failure of leadership from Washington. It is almost certain to have a negative impact not only on hospitals, but on employers of every size in every industry. I have pushed for full repeal of this law while pledging to vote against any funding measure that contains money for its implementation. As we continue to see the concrete, disastrous effects of this law as it approaches, it is becoming clear we need urgent action. Will Harry Reid and Senate Democrats wake up and work with us on a full delay or repeal this destructive law before it’s too late?”

Congressman Crawford has cosponsored H.R. 2667, the Authority for Mandate Delay, introduced by Rep. Tim Griffin (R-AR), which would delay the employer mandate portion of the ObamaCare law. Similarly, he has cosponsored H.R. 2668, the Fairness for American Families Act, introduced by Rep. Todd Young (R-IN), which would delay the individual mandate portion of ObamaCare. Both measures are scheduled for a vote on the House floor later this week.

From Talk Business Arkansas: “Bo Ryall, President and CEO of the Arkansas Hospital Association, said the Baptist Health layoffs are part of a national trend in recent months due to cuts made by the Affordable Care Act and this year’s federal sequestration. The Affordable Care Act reduced national Medicare funding by $155 billion over a 10-year period that starts this year, Ryall said. He added that the fiscal impact on Arkansas was roughly $2 billion.Compounded by the federal sequestration cuts made earlier this year, which lopped another two percent across-the-board cut to Medicare, Arkansas hospitals are feeling the pinch. ‘This is a result of reimbursement reduction,’ Ryall tells Talk Business. ‘You’re talking about a lot of cuts that hospitals cannot absorb. They have to make adjustments to keep their doors open.’