AHA responds to New York Times article on hospital layoffs

In a letter to the editor published yesterday, AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack notes, “Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, the financial state of many hospitals was very fragile, with one of every four hospitals in America operating in the red.

“Every hospital in America prepared for Covid-19 patients. Moreover, every hospital stopped doing regularly scheduled procedures. As a result, expenses have skyrocketed and revenues have virtually dried up. Our own report found that hospitals and health systems are projected to lose more than $200 billion between March 1 and June 30 because of this pandemic.

“And while $44 billion in relief funds has been sent to hospitals, the government assistance won’t make up for the catastrophic financial losses created by Covid-19. Moody’s also found that the federal aid won’t completely cover the revenue hospitals will lose.

“We need support and resources to ensure that we can continue to deliver the critical care that our patients and communities depend on, while also ensuring that we are prepared for the continuing challenges we face from this pandemic, as well as other potential emergencies.”