Fact Sheets

The American Hospital Association (AHA) fact sheets on important issues facing hospitals and health systems. Fact Sheets define the terms of issues facing hospitals and health systems and provide in-depth explanations of the AHA's position on these issues.

Nonprofit hospitals are exempt from federal and some state and local taxes. Therefore, in addition to providing that 24/7 care, they must meet the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Community Benefit Standard and publicly and extensively report the range of benefits and services they provide to their…
Hospitals and health systems are committed to empowering patients with all the information they need to live their healthiest lives. This includes ensuring they have access to accurate price information when seeking care. Most hospitals use cost estimate tools to provide patient-specific price…
In support of the health of our patients and communities, as well as the stability of the entire health care system, the AHA urges Congress to extend the enhanced premium tax credits.
A growing trend in hospital and health system financial assistance programs is the incorporation of presumptive eligibility screenings for charity care. Presumptive eligibility refers to an automated process of analyzing readily available financial and other data to approximate a patient’s…
For the past decade, the health care field has experienced a sharp increase in workplace violence.
The Rural Community Hospital (RCH) demonstration tests an alternative payment model for small rural hospitals, in response to concerns that they face financial difficulties with Medicare’s inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS).
Congress is considering several proposals that would impose additional Medicare site-neutral payment reductions for services provided in hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs).
Legislative efforts to enact a Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) proposal that would impose site-neutral payment cuts on hospitals for certain outpatient services — including those occurring in both on-campus and off-campus hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs) — would lead to…
Telehealth connects patients to vital health care services through videoconferencing, remote monitoring, electronic consults and wireless communications. By increasing access to physicians and specialists, telehealth helps ensure patients receive the right care, at the right place, at the right…
If Congress cuts Medicaid, hospitals would see significant negative impacts that vary by policy.