AHA statement on declaration of COVID-19 national emergency

Rick Pollack
President and CEO
American Hospital Association

March 13, 2020

We thank the President and the Administration for taking the urgent and necessary step today of declaring a national emergency. This action will break down regulatory barriers to allow hospitals and health systems to respond in an innovative, timely and decisive manner with the essential tools and resources to care for patients and communities. 

America’s hospitals and health systems, and our dedicated caregivers and workers, are on the frontlines of protecting and treating our patients and communities as the COVID-19 outbreak spreads. That is why the AHA, joined by the American Medical Association and the American Nurses Association, urged the President to declare the COVID-19 outbreak a national emergency.

We will continue to work closely with our federal, state and local partners in our shared mission to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect our patients and communities.

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Contact:         Colin Milligan, 202) 638-549, cmilligan@aha.org
                       Marie Johnson, (202) 626-2351, mjohnson@aha.org