Working Together to Stand Up and Speak Out to Protect Patient Access to Care

Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

As the national voice of the hospital and health system field, educating our many stakeholders is a big part of what we do at the AHA.

This means making sure that the individuals and families who entrust their care to hospitals and health systems know that the people at America’s hospitals and health systems will never stop working to improve their access to quality care. This means making sure Congress, the White House and federal agencies understand and appreciate that hospitals and health systems are not only the front lines of 24/7 patient care, but they also backstop our nation’s entire health care system. And it means responding to misinformation and disinformation put out by motivated adversaries who seek to undermine public trust and confidence in our field.

While the AHA focuses on these efforts each and every day, we also collaborate closely with partners, including the Coalition to Strengthen America’s Healthcare. For nearly a quarter of a century, the Coalition, of which AHA is a founding member, has shared our agenda of fortifying patients’ access to high-quality health care — 24/7/365.

The Coalition is a highly effective community of more than 2.5 million grassroots advocates who, along with the AHA, have stepped up repeatedly to confront legislation in Congress that threatens patients’ access to hospital care. The Coalition is currently supported by all the national hospital associations, as well as state, regional and metropolitan associations, and hospitals and health systems around the country.

Earlier this year, the Coalition underwent a rebranding campaign to reflect its expanded capacity as a proactive, always-on organization dedicated to positively shaping public perception of hospitals and health systems, and neutralizing opposition attacks.

For example, in recent weeks the Coalition has complemented and supercharged efforts the AHA is leading by spotlighting the role hospitals and health systems play in expanding access to care for patients and communities. The Coalition has run digital advertising that reached more than one million viewers online and encouraged its grassroots advocates to share stories with lawmakers and the public about the vital role hospitals play in their lives. More than 40,000 letters were delivered to Congress in the first quarter of 2024.

The AHA will continue to coordinate with the Coalition on implementing campaigns and grassroots advocacy strategies to influence stakeholders and policymakers in support of policies that preserve our ability to provide patients with the care they need and deserve. Priority issues include rejecting potential Medicare and Medicaid funding reductions for patient care services, strengthening the health care workforce, supporting care in rural communities, and holding corporate commercial insurance companies accountable, just to name a few.

The Coalition is made possible by support from individuals and organizations across the country. Working together over the past 24 years, we’ve successfully defended against threats to the Affordable Care Act, and Medicare and Medicaid, among other issues. We’ve also ensured vital funding for hospitals, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Please take a few minutes to learn more about how you, your organization and your community can get involved, so the Coalition can continue its important work on behalf of the field. We’ll continue to share information about the Coalition’s activities and appreciate your continued support in our collective effort to advance health in America.