Press Release

Statement on White House Meeting with President Obama and Major National Health Groups...

Contact:
Alicia Mitchell - (202) 626-2339
Jennifer Armstrong Gay - (202) 626-2342

Washington D.C.

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STATEMENT ON WHITE HOUSE MEETING WITH PRESIDENT OBAMA AND
MAJOR NATIONAL HEALTH GROUPS ON HEALTH REFORM

Rich Umbdenstock
President and CEO, American Hospital Association

May 11, 2009

Providing quality, affordable coverage and access to every American is the goal of our nation's hospitals.  That's why the AHA today came together with other key national health groups to offer President Obama and Congress our constructive ideas and energy to make health reform a reality.

Today's health care system is fragmented and complex, making it hard for patients to get the care they need at the right time and in the right setting. Today, too many people put off care until it becomes a crisis, often leading to a trip to the emergency department.  Today's health care system is rife with paper causing nurses and physicians to spend too much time filling out forms rather than caring for patients.

America's hospitals believe we, as a nation, can -- and must -- do better.  While America's medical know-how and innovation are unrivaled, we need to build a better system -- one that puts a premium on wellness and prevention, places a greater focus on quality, harnesses the promise of information technology to improve care and provides coverage for all at an affordable cost.

America's hospitals stand ready to work with President Obama and Congress to make reform a reality.  Now is the time to enact major health care reform, and America's hospitals are committed to thoughtful changes that will lead to better care for patients.

About AHA

The AHA is a not-for-profit association of health care provider organizations and individuals that are committed to the improvement of health in their communities. The AHA is the national advocate for its members, which includes more than 5,000 member hospitals, health systems and other health care organizations, and 38,000 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.