Prevention: The Best Strategy

Rich Umbdenstock, AHA President and CEO

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" takes on new meaning in Washington, where a series of fiscal flashpoints ahead will repeatedly place essential funding for hospital services on the line. Thanks to all who participated in our Feb. 13 Advocacy Day, in Washington or from home, and let your legislators know about the pressures your organization faces with payment reductions and the pace of implementing new regulations. We need you to keep talking (most legislators will be home Presidents Day week) about how additional cuts will affect your ability to provide access to the latest treatments and technologies.  And do try to join us Feb. 26, either in Washington or through our Advocacy Day Town Hall Webcast.  Legislators must understand that restructuring entitlement programs and achieving efficiencies by reforming the delivery system are preferable to arbitrary cuts to providers that don't improve patient care or sustain these programs for future generations.

 Questions or Comments?
Click rich@aha.org