Press Release

Statement on President Trump's Executive Order on Regulatory Relief

Rick Pollack

President and CEO

American Hospital Association

The regulatory burden that is imposed on hospitals and health systems is substantial and unsustainable, and has grown in recent years. We are encouraged by the executive order signed by President Trump today that will help reduce red tape.

Reducing the administrative complexity of health care would allow providers to spend more time on patients, not paperwork. In the past year alone, the federal government added 23,531 pages to the stack of existing regulations affecting hospitals and health systems.

Excessive red tape not only stands as a barrier to care but as a key driver of cost. Reducing the burden would not only provide relief, but would also provide an opportunity to make care more patient-centered than ever before.

The AHA sent President Trump a letter last month that lays out actions the Administration could take immediately to reduce the burden on hospitals and health systems. Today’s action is a good first step and we will continue to work with the Administration on this critical issue.

About the AHA

The AHA is a not-for-profit association of health care provider organizations and individuals that are committed to the health improvement of their communities. The AHA is the national advocate for its members, which include nearly 5,000 hospitals, health care systems, networks, other providers of care and 43,000 individual members. Founded in 1898, the AHA provides education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends. For more information, visit the AHA website at www.aha.org.