Blog

Blogs from AHA leaders and members on the latest health care issues.

Hospitals and health systems are on a journey that promises to take them to a place where they can improve the lives of thousands of people all at once, not just the health of one patient at a time … where their success in addressing the social determinants of health within the communities they…
One of the best parts of my job is getting to travel the country and meet the women and men who are leading the way in redefining the “H” and transforming health care. Rodney Nelson, president and CEO of the Mackinac Straits Health System in St. Ignace, MI, is one of those leaders.
With the AHA as a founding member, the Coalition to Protect America’s Health Care began almost 17 years ago as a major communications initiative of hospitals, national, state, regional and metropolitan hospital associations and businesses. It’s dedicated to telling the hospital story and helping…
What are vulnerable communities? They’re communities in rural and inner-city America that lack access to primary care or are hobbled by a poor economy, high rates of uninsured and low health literacy, among other things. For the millions of Americans who live in them, the local hospital is an…
In the second week of the Trump Administration, and the second month of the 115th Congress, health care issues have taken center stage like never before: repeal and replace (or repair) of the Affordable Care Act, “restructuring” Medicaid, “modernizing” Medicare…not to mention the health policy and…
Hospitals’ contribution to their communities extends far beyond their role as health care cornerstones. As the most recent update of our annual report on hospitals’ economic impact makes clear, they also are economic anchors, providing the stability and growth that contributes greatly to the…
As a steward of its community’s health, North Philadelphia’s Temple University Hospital knows it is uniquely positioned to address the public health crisis posed by gun violence.
Rapid change in the health care field has led hospital leaders to search for new ways to reduce costs, increase the quality of care, and preserve access to care, so they can continue to meet their patients’ needs. For some hospitals, mergers may be the right path to meet these goals. This week the…
Rural hospitals are their community’s anchor. By providing 24/7 care, essential public services and access to primary care for the 57 million people that live in rural America, these hospitals are vitally important. But the challenges they face have never been bigger.They include the move to value-…
Inauguration Day ushers in a new era of change in Washington. Republicans and Democrats will assemble together to watch Donald Trump take the oath of office, and to celebrate the peaceful passing of power that is a hallmark of our democracy. Meanwhile, across America, health care needs don’t take a…