Rick Pollack, President and CEO, AHA

The March 21 Health & Science article “Many Americans — especially those below U.S. poverty level — are buried in hospital bills” missed a major reason that medical debt has increased in our country: the rise of high-deductible and skinny insurance plans that result in larger out-of-pocket expenses for consumers.
Some of the most impactful laws passed in our country have needed to be revisited and fine-tuned to remain relevant to peoples’ lives.
Hospitals and health systems can play an important role in ensuring patients have trustworthy, accurate and scientifically sound information to help them make the best health care decisions for themselves and their loved ones.
The international firm EY has looked at how the benefits tax-exempt hospitals provide stack up against their federal tax exemption. Last year’s report showed the spread was 9 to 1 – for every $1 of exemption, reporting hospitals provided $9 of benefit to the community.
Hospitals and health systems are committed to empowering patients with all the information they need to live their healthiest lives. This includes ensuring they have access to accurate information on their costs estimates when seeking care.
As caregivers and healers, hospitals and health systems are the antithesis of violence. They are in the business of treating patients, healing communities and saving lives.
The AHA will work with leaders on both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue and both sides of the political aisle to enact legislation and policies in four areas: Ensure Access to Care and Provide Financial Relief; Strengthen the Health Care Workforce; Advance Quality, Equity and Transformation; Enact Regulatory and Administrative Relief.
America’s hospitals and health systems are places of healing, hope, comfort and caring. Today, they also face many challenges that jeopardize their ability to always be there ready to care.
For three years, hospitals, health systems and health care workers have been on the front lines of the greatest public health crisis our nation has faced in a century.
Cyberattacks are increasing globally and in the U.S., with health care organizations, especially hospitals and health systems, being prime targets.