Affinity Strategies

Affinity Strategies is proud to welcome our newest client, the New England Roentgen Ray Society (NERRS)! 👏 For over a century, NERRS has been at the forefront of radiology education and innovation in New England. Their commitment to advancing radiological excellence through cutting-edge education, professional collaboration, and research makes them a leader in the field. We're honored to partner with NERRS to support their mission of shaping the future of radiology education and fostering innovation in medical imaging. Welcome to the Affinity Strategies community! We look forward to working together to advance the field of radiology. 🎉 #Radiology #MedicalEducation #Healthcare #ProfessionalSociety #NewPartnership

Is Pediatric Care at Risk? Medicaid Cuts and the Future of Children’s Health What happens to our children’s health when the safety net frays? Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) are lifelines for our nation's children, covering approximately 50% of all U.S. children, including nearly half of children with special healthcare needs. But what happens when this vital support is threatened? The Ripple Effect of Medicaid Cuts on Pediatric Care Children's Hospitals Under Strain: Children's hospitals rely heavily on Medicaid reimbursements, which often cover only 80% of the cost of care provided. Cuts to Medicaid funding could force these hospitals to reduce services, increase wait times, or, in dire cases, shut down essential programs. Access to Care Jeopardized: With Medicaid covering 40% of all children in the U.S., funding reductions could lead to fewer healthcare providers accepting Medicaid patients, thereby limiting access to necessary medical services. Impact on Children with Disabilities: Nearly half of children with special health care needs depend on Medicaid for services like early intervention and mental health care. Funding cuts could result in reduced access to these critical services, hindering early diagnosis and treatment. Why Healthcare Providers Must Advocate for Medicaid As stewards of children's health, healthcare providers witness firsthand the indispensable role Medicaid plays in ensuring access to care. Advocacy for sustained or increased Medicaid funding is not just about preserving jobs; it's about safeguarding the health and future of millions of children. 💬 If Medicaid disappeared tomorrow, how would your pediatric patients be affected? Let’s bring real stories to the surface—because children can’t speak up for their care, but we can.

Love working with wonderful leaders like Jen Axelband !!!! Thank you Jen for your passion, support and commitment!!!!!

Thank you so much for sharing and for your continued support in amplifying the provider's voice. Grateful to be in this work together—collaboration like this is exactly what drives meaningful change. 🙏 #HealthcareAdvocacy #Medicaid

Emergency Rooms Aren’t a Safety Net — They’re the Last Resort. What happens when preventive care disappears? When Medicaid funding is cut, patients don’t stop needing care—they lose access to primary, preventive, and chronic disease management services. And where do they go instead? 👉 The emergency room. But emergency rooms were never designed to be the first line of care. They are the last resort—high-cost, high-pressure environments intended for acute and life-threatening conditions. The Consequences of Overreliance on ERs ✔️ Increased ER Visits: Research consistently indicates that Medicaid enrollees have higher ED visit rates compared to individuals with private insurance. ✔️ The strain on Emergency Services: In 2022, Texas Medicaid and CHIP programs recorded approximately 1.58 million potentially preventable emergency room visits, leading to significant expenditures. ✔️ Longer Wait Times: States that expanded Medicaid experienced a 10% increase in emergency department wait times, affecting care for all patients. ✔️ Higher Costs: Medicaid accounted for about 19% of all hospital spending in 2023, equating to $283 billion out of $1.5 trillion. Reductions in Medicaid funding can strain hospital finances, potentially leading to service cuts or closures. ✔️ Provider Burnout: Overcrowded ERs contribute to increased stress and burnout among healthcare providers, impacting the quality of care delivered. Why Medicaid Matters in This Equation ❓ Medicaid enables low-income patients to access the right care, at the right time, in the right setting. Without it, we shift from proactive care to reactive crisis management—and the entire system feels the weight. 💬 How has Medicaid funding influenced patient care in your experience? Share your insights below. #HealthAccess #PublicHealth #HealthcareAdvocacy #Medicaid #HealthcareInnovation

The Hidden Domino Effect of Medicaid Cuts What happens when states lose the federal match they depend on? One of the most critical—and often overlooked—consequences of Medicaid cuts is their impact on FMAP (Federal Medical Assistance Percentage). FMAP determines how much the federal government contributes to each state’s Medicaid funding. And the stakes? They're massive. ⚠️ ❓Why FMAP Matters FMAP isn’t just a budget formula—it’s the backbone of state-level health infrastructure. 🏥 ✅ It helps hospitals keep their doors open, especially ERs operating on razor-thin margins ✅ It funds vital care for low-income families and children 👨👩👧👦 ✅ It supports providers serving the most vulnerable communities 🧑⚕️💙 Since FMAP is tied to state per capita income, any change in Medicaid funding may alter how much federal support a state receives—putting added strain on already stretched health systems. 📉 The Real-World Impact Without this federal matching, many states may struggle to support their Medicaid programs. For providers, that can mean: ⏳ Delayed reimbursements ✂️ Program cuts 🚪 Practice closures in underserved areas Medical associations and healthcare professionals can make a difference by sharing real-world stories with elected officials. 🗣️ These stories help bring clarity to complex funding mechanisms and spotlight the human cost of budget cuts. 💬 How would losing federal matching funds affect your patients or practice? Let’s make this conversation visible—because infrastructure starts with funding, and funding starts with awareness. 🔊💡 #PrimaryCare #HealthSystems #HealthcareAdvocacy #Medicaid

📣 Affinity Strategies welcomes Women In Ophthalmology! 📣 Thrilled to announce that Affinity Strategies has been selected as the strategic management partner for Women in Ophthalmology (WIO)! We're honored to support this incredible organization in their mission to enhance and strengthen the professional lives of women ophthalmologists. For over 30 years, WIO has been instrumental in promoting equality and advancement of women in the field of ophthalmology. Our team looks forward to leveraging our expertise in medical society management to help WIO expand their impact, foster meaningful connections, and create innovative professional development opportunities for their members. To our new partners at WIO: Thank you for your trust. Together, we'll work to advance your vital mission and support the next generation of women leaders in ophthalmology #WomenInMedicine #Ophthalmology #AssociationManagement #WomenInLeadership #Healthcare #ProfessionalDevelopment

Go Amanda Marsh-Caldwell Go! Society of Dermatology Nurse Practitioners

Is Innovation the Next Casualty of Medicaid Cuts? What happens to healthcare progress when the funding stops? For years, Medicaid has quietly fueled state-level innovation, driving new models of care, expanding access, and advancing telehealth, maternal and child health, addiction recovery, and more. Many of these programs started as bold, state-led pilot initiatives—and many worked. But today, Medicaid reimbursement cuts threaten that progress. What’s at Risk? Without sustained funding, states may be forced to: ✅Halt innovative programs that improve long-term outcomes ✅Scale-back value-based care models have proven to reduce costs and improve lives ✅Reduce access, sending more patients to already overburdened emergency rooms ✅Lose momentum in combating rising challenges like addiction, maternal health disparities, and chronic disease For example, Arizona has used Medicaid waivers to fund critical addiction treatment services—a vital need in the state. If patients lose access to this care, not only will they suffer, but they will also cost the healthcare system more due to acute medical problems rather than managing the addiction itself. A Warning Sign for the Future These aren’t just hypothetical losses. These are real programs, with real people behind them—patients, providers, and communities who will feel the impact. We must ask: 👉 Can our healthcare system afford to lose its most innovative tools? 👉 What stories must we share to preserve them? 💬 What state-level programs have you seen make a difference in your field? Let’s amplify what works—before it disappears. #HealthAccess #PublicHealth #HealthcareAdvocacy #Medicaid

𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵’𝘀 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗦𝗻𝗮𝗽𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘁, 𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙡𝙪𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝 𝙋𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙮 𝙎𝙣𝙞𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙩𝙨; • 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗛𝗛𝗦 𝗿𝗲𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻; full extent of workforce reductions and impact won’t be known until summer • 𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝗙𝗗𝗔 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹, 𝗗𝗿. 𝗣𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀, resigns in protest of Secretary Kennedy’s “misinformation and lies” regarding vaccines • 𝗖𝗠𝗦 𝗔𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲 𝗗𝗿. 𝗠𝗲𝗵𝗺𝗲𝘁 𝗢𝘇 on track to be confirmed by Senate despite making troubling statements on biopharmaceutical innovation during hearings • 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Senate and House strategies continue to differ Read the full report of health policy updates on the Affinity Strategies blog >>> https://lnkd.in/gmQp-WDF Greg Chesmore