Articles
Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19), COVID-19: Caring for Patients and Communities
Perspective: Wearing a Mask is Not a Political Statement … It Saves Lives
By Rick Pollack
Wear a mask. Wash your hands. Keep your distance. These are three simple actions we know that will stop the spread of COVID-19. The AHA, American Medical Association and the American Nurses Association shared those messages in an open letter to the American public.
Legislation and Legislative Advocacy, Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19), COVID-19: Coverage and Reimbursement
Perspective: Putting Democracy into Action This Independence Day
By Rick Pollack
As James Madison wrote in the First Amendment of our Bill of Rights, we have the right to “petition the government for a redress of grievances.” We also have an important right that many in other countries don’t – the right to vote. These two rights go hand in hand as a foundation of our democracy.
Legislation and Legislative Advocacy, Regulations and Regulatory Advocacy, Telehealth, Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19)
Perspective: Regulatory and Legislative Actions Needed to Support Better Care
By Rick Pollack
Expanding access to telehealth services to provide much more patient-centered, convenient care. Creating additional health care workforce capacity and avoiding workforce shortages. Removing barriers for patients and communities to access needed care.
Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19), COVID-19: Caring for Patients and Communities, COVID-19: Coverage and Reimbursement
Perspective: Your Voice is Urgently Needed on Capitol Hill
By Rick Pollack
With COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations spiking in a number of states, hospitals and health systems — and the women and men on the front lines — continue to battle the virus. At the same time, hospitals continue to confront the greatest financial crisis in their history, as our recent report estimates more than $200 billion in losses from COVID-19 from March through June.
Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19), COVID-19: Caring for Patients and Communities
Perspective: Helping Hospitals and Health Systems Recover and Reopen
By Rick Pollack
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted life in ways we never expected. For patients across the country, the cancellation or postponement of non-emergent surgeries, clinic visits and procedures delayed important medical care and financially devastated many hospitals and health systems, even threatening the ability of many to keep their doors open.
Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19), COVID-19: Caring for Patients and Communities, COVID-19: Coverage and Reimbursement
The Financial Challenges of COVID-19 on Hospitals and Health Systems
By Rick Pollack
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our world. For hospitals and health systems this meant canceling non-emergent surgeries and other services – many of which are often for care that is potentially life-saving, necessary to alleviate pain and suffering, or to restore individuals to full health.
Access to Behavioral Health, Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19)
Perspective: The Importance of Behavioral Health … Today and Every Day
By Rick Pollack
The Census Bureau recently reported that “a third of Americans now show signs of clinical anxiety or depression” due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s also been reported that Americans are increasingly at risk for “deaths of despair” from substance misuse and suicide, forecasting that the mental health crisis could approach levels of loss similar to COVID-19.
Leadership, COVID-19: Caring for Patients and Communities, Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19)
Correcting The New York Times on hospitals’ and health systems’ finances
By Rick Pollack
Much of the response to COVID-19 crisis has fallen on America’s hospitals and health systems — the cornerstones of care in their communities — and the front-line health care heroes.
Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19), Disparities/Equity of Care
Perspective: COVID-19 Puts a Spotlight on the Need for Health Equity
By Rick Pollack
The AHA is working hard to achieve health equity by working with the government to improve data collection to guide policy, and by creating tools and resources to help hospitals and health systems improve health equity in the community.
Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19), COVID-19: Caring for Patients and Communities, National Hospital Week
Perspective: Showing America We’re Here to Care in Every Way, Every Day
By Rick Pollack
National Hospital Week 2020 may be coming to a close tomorrow, but our efforts to support America’s health care heroes and their hospitals and health systems are still going strong.