The AHA today released a toolkit to help hospitals and health systems in vulnerable rural and urban communities engage their communities in discussions on how to ensure continued access to essential health care services. “These conversations will be critical as you work collaboratively to identify and address the needs most important in your own community,” the resource notes. Building on the AHA task force’s 2016 report on strategies to ensure access to essential health care services in vulnerable communities, the toolkit offers ways to broadly engage stakeholders through community conversation events and the community health needs assessment process; dialog with specific stakeholders such as patients and families, trustees and clinicians; and expand community conversations through social media. To access the toolkit and other AHA resources on ensuring access to care in vulnerable communities, visit www.aha.org/EnsuringAccess.

Related News Articles

Headline
The Census Bureau reported (https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/2025/demo/acsbr-024.pdf) that the uninsured rate increased nationally to 8.2% in 2024…
Perspective
Public
Congress returns to Washington, D.C., this week facing a long list of things to do, including several that will impact hospitals’ ability to provide access to…
Headline
The Department of Health and Human Services Sept. 4 announced new hardship exemption guidance that would allow consumers ineligible for premium tax credits or…
Headline
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Innovation Center Sept. 2 announced changes to the Achieving Healthcare Efficiency through Accountable Design…
Headline
A KFF analysis published Aug. 20 provides a state-by-state allocation of Congressional Budget Office estimates that 10 million people could be uninsured by…
Headline
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services today announced a nationwide initiative aimed at reinforcing eligibility standards for Medicaid and the…