Rick Pollack, President and CEO, AHA

Rick Pollack Perspective 900x400 12-2023

Articles

Access & Health Coverage

After months of hot debate and strenuous give-and-take, 38 delegates signed the Constitution of the United States on Sept. 17, 1787. When asked by a curious citizen just what kind of government had been structured by the Founding Fathers, Benjamin Franklin is said to have answered: 鈥渁 Republic, if you can keep it.鈥

Medicare

Throughout the pandemic 鈥 which is still very much ongoing as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to increase 鈥 hospitals and health systems have battled many formidable obstacles to continue to treat patients and deliver life-saving care to all who come through their doors.

Workforce, COVID-19: Organizational Preparedness and Capacity Planning, COVID-19: Protecting Health Care Workers

Health care is, at its core, people caring for people. But the pandemic has strained our health care workforce like never before. The Bureau of Labor Statistics found that hospital employment decreased by almost 100,000 from February 2020 to September 2021, and 30% of health care workers have considered leaving the profession during the pandemic.

Mergers & Acquisitions, Hospital Field Realignment, Advancing Best Practices for Hospitals & Health Systems

As our nation emerges slowly from the devastating effects of the pandemic, the value of America鈥檚 hospitals and health systems鈥攁nd the women and men who work there鈥攈as never been more clear. Whether treating patients with compassion and bravery, providing life-saving care or stepping in to plug the gaps in the nation鈥檚 ailing public health infrastructure in other ways, hospitals and health systems were there for all of us when we needed them the most.