Chair File: Reaffirming the Vital Role of Hospitals and Health Systems
No other part of the health care sector does more than our nation’s hospitals and health systems to support patients and communities. Our doors are always open, 24/7, and ready to serve patients, regardless of their ability to pay. Our teams also work outside of our walls to promote the health and well-being of individuals and families and improve community health.
We know that hospitals and health systems are facing unprecedented challenges from historic workforce shortages, to soaring costs of providing care, to severe underpayment by Medicare and Medicaid, to overwhelming regulatory burdens, just to name a few.
Despite these challenges, hospitals and health systems — and their dedicated caregivers and teams — have an unwavering commitment to improving the health of those they serve. They are the backbone of health care in our communities, providing lifesaving care while also leading and supporting broader health and wellness efforts.
There are countless inspiring examples occurring every day in hospitals and health systems all across the country. As part of AHA’s Telling the Hospital Story efforts, we have refocused our #WeAreHealthCare campaign to build a visible and consistent drumbeat of stories and examples that illustrate the crucial role of hospitals and health systems in our communities.
I encourage your organization to participate by sharing stories now about the amazing work your teams are doing every day to advance health for patients, families and communities. The AHA is committed to magnifying the spotlight on these empowering stories across all our digital platforms with a special emphasis during National Hospital Week, which is May 7–13.
Visit AHA’s webpage for resources, digital tools and more information to help share your hospital’s or health system’s story with the AHA and the public.
Let’s amplify our field’s collective voice by highlighting the incredible work of our health care teams. Let’s reaffirm the vital role of hospitals and health systems to advance the health of individuals and communities. Let’s do it today and every day.