The Value of Membership

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"Association" is the last word in our name, but it is the cornerstone of the American Hospital Association's success.  Working not only for you, but with you, we make sure that legislators see the implications of funding cuts to your community, that rule makers understand the burden created by excessive and out-of-date regulations, and that everyone – legislators, candidates for office, regulators, the media and the public – realizes the critical role that hospitals play in improving health and health care.

Few election years have been as contentious as 2012.  During the debate over the future of our nation, the AHA has worked for one thing: what is best for America's hospitals and the patients and communities that depend on them.  We weighed in on a host of proposals that would affect payments and patients … and legislators and the regulatory agencies listened. 

We also laid the groundwork for the busy legislative session that is sure to follow the election.  Through our "We Care, We Vote" initiative, we encouraged members of the greater hospital family to not only vote but be informed and feel empowered to advocate for their hospital.  We also reached out to legislators and candidates for office to ensure they understand the challenges facing hospitals today and the impact that their decisions will have on the health and well-being of their communities.  And we created one more way for you to make your voice heard on the issues that matter most to your organization through our new AHA Advocacy Alliances.

Of course, we're about much more than advocacy.  The AHA is proud to act as a conduit through which hospitals share best practices and tap into resources and initiatives that advance quality and safety.  The AHA's Health Research & Educational Trust has led the way through our Hospitals in Pursuit of Excellence initiative and through concentrated, evidence-based, performance improvement projects such as On the CUSP and the new Hospital Engagement Network, which is working to identify solutions already proven to reduce health care-acquired conditions and establish ways to spread them to other hospitals and health care providers.

These are just some of the ways the AHA works for you.  In the enclosed document, you'll find highlights of our accomplishments in 2012; you can find more at "The Value of Membership."

The reason for our success is simple:  We draw our strength from the unity of the hospital field.  In the year ahead, that unity will be needed more than ever. 

We are honored that you have chosen us to represent you, and hope that we can rely on your continued support as we advocate on behalf of the field, our patients and communities.

Sincerely,

Teri G. Fontenot       2012 Chair President and CEO Woman's Hospital Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Rich Umbdenstock President and CEO