Rick Pollack, President and CEO, AHA

Advocacy & Public Policy, Medicare, Medical Education/Teaching Hospitals, Post-Acute Care, Telehealth, Medicare Advantage, Metropolitan Anchor Hospital (MAH)

Putting on a Full-court Press to Secure Support for Hospitals and Patients

As Congress convenes for its post-election lame-duck session, we are turning up the pressure to secure additional support for hospitals and the patients and communities they serve. We need to put on a full-court press — and that includes all of us reaching out to our senators and representatives — to urge them to include a number of key priorities in a year-end spending package.

Leadership, Workforce

Many Reasons to Be Thankful Despite Difficult Challenges

For more than 400 years, we have paused each fall to give thanks. We do so during good times and bad because most years bring a mixture of both.

This year, our world, our nation and our field face many difficult challenges. But that’s why it’s so important that we take the time to express our gratitude for the many things we are thankful for. This includes the amazing work that hospitals and health systems do — every minute of every hour of every day of the year — to advance health in America.

Veteran Hiring, Recognition and Awards

Giving Thanks Today and Always for America’s Veterans

The news is filled daily with accounts of conflict around the globe … notably Russia’s war against Ukraine, but other potential clashes bubble near the surface, such as military action by China against Taiwan, or a North Korean missile aimed at Japan.

We cannot know for sure what this unsettled era will bring. But we do know that we are blessed with the strongest, bravest and best-trained guardians a nation can have: the individuals who wear the military uniform of the United States of America.

Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19), Rural issues, Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medical Education/Teaching Hospitals

Exercise Your Precious Right to Vote on Nov. 8

There are many significant milestones in our nation’s history of voting.

Legislation and Legislative Advocacy, Population/Community Health

Making the Case for Additional Federal Support for Hospitals

After Election Day, lawmakers will return to Washington to consider many important issues, including funding the government, the annual must-pass defense bill, hurricane aid, election reform and tax extenders.

Cybersecurity

Keeping Our Defenses Strong Against Cyberthreats

The health care field continues to be a top target for cybercriminals. According to data from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), there has been an 84% increase in the number of data breaches against health care organizations from 2018-2021, with 324 reported in the first half of 2022 alone.

Emergency Readiness, Advocacy & Public Policy, Telling the Hospital Story

In Times of Crisis, the Blue “H” Never Wavers

That commitment to being always there and ready to care is being tested as hospitals and health systems navigate historic workforce shortages, broken supply chains, rapid inflation that has increased the cost of caring, and other severe financial pressures that could jeopardize access to care.

United Against the Flu, Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19), Flu

Get Vaccinated Against the Flu and COVID-19

With fall in full swing, there are two easy steps that individuals can take to protect themselves and their families against illness – get a flu shot and get a COVID-19 vaccination or booster.

Financial Management, Rural issues, 340B Drug Pricing Program, Commercial Insurer Accountability

Speak Up, Be Heard and Exercise Your Right to Vote

Forty-six days from now on Nov. 8 millions of Americans will cast their ballots and exercise their most sacred right – the right to vote.

Financial Management, Access to Care in Vulnerable Communities, Access & Health Coverage

We Must Keep Our Hospitals Strong as Severe Financial Challenges Threaten Access to Care

As part of those efforts, we’ll be releasing radio spots that we recorded with state, metropolitan and regional hospital association executives this week and spotlighting case studies from hospitals describing the challenges they are facing.