Joyce, Ohio colleagues tackle pandemic’s impact on home-state hospitals

The impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on Ohio’s children’s hospitals, their patients and employees has been substantial, members of the Ohio Children’s Hospital Association (OCHA) told U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) and the entire Ohio congressional delegation during a recent virtual meeting.

“It is critical that Congress provide these hospitals with the resources necessary to overcome the financial burdens this pandemic has placed on them so they can continue to provide the highest quality care for Ohio’s children,” said Rep. Joyce, co-chair of the Congressional Nursing Caucus.

The congressman said that since the COVID-19 pandemic began earlier this year, Ohio’s children’s hospitals have worked tirelessly in the state’s local communities to maintain the health and safety of area children.

“While the full effects of the pandemic have yet to be felt, many of these hospitals are already facing extraordinary expenses associated with responding to this unprecedented crisis,” Rep. Joyce said.

Nick Lashutka, president and chief executive officer of OCHA, said the organization’s members appreciated the willingness of Rep. Joyce and the other lawmakers to hear how the unintended consequences of the pandemic have impacted their patients and families, and the 40,000 Ohioans they employ.

“The CEOs of the member hospitals of the Ohio Children’s Hospital Association were grateful to have an opportunity to speak with Congressman Joyce and the Ohio delegation to help them understand the important role our hospitals have played in the work to protect our state from a catastrophic surge during the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting negative financial implications on our institutions,” Lashutka said.

The meeting was attended by representatives from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital; Dayton Children’s Hospital; Nationwide Children’s Hospital; Akron Children’s Hospital; UH Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospitals; and ProMedica Toledo and Ebeid Children’s Hospitals, according to Rep. Joyce’s office.