The Value Initiative Issue Brief 1: Framing the Issue of Affordable Health Care

Affordability is one of the most important challenges influencing Americans’ ability to access health care. A number of factors affect the affordability of health care, including housing, transportation, education, personal choices, and the cost of health insurance, prescription drugs, and hospital services. Leaders from the American Hospital Association (AHA), hospitals, and health systems understand these challenges, have strategies to address them, and are deeply committed to ensuring that patients and consumers have access to affordable health care.