Rich Umbdenstock is the president and CEO of the American Hospital Association, the national advocate for 5,000 hospitals, health care systems, networks and other providers of care. Founded in 1898, AHA provides education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends.
In order for health reform—meaningful health reform—to be successful, everyone must do their part, and that includes America’s hospitals. The framework agreed to by hospitals, the Administration and the Senate Finance Committee includes substantial payment cuts to hospitals linked in part to increasing health coverage to 95 percent of Americans. Every day in America’s emergency rooms, hospitals see all too well what lack of coverage means for far too many people. We’ve long been committed to expanding coverage to millions of Americans without health insurance, and that’s why we support this historic effort. But make no mistake—hospitals cannot be… Read more
Medicaid helps millions of low-income children and their families receive health care, serving as a backstop for those who have lost employment-based health care coverage and providing access to health services to those who cannot afford private insurance. During these times of state budgets in the red and growing unemployment, the Medicaid program is facing more pressure than ever. As Congress develops and debates an economic recovery plan, it’s important that we also ensure coverage for the recently unemployed and their families, as well as assist the providers that serve them. That’s why we support a temporary expansion of… Read more
The State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) has been instrumental in helping millions of America’s children get a healthy start in life, putting them on a more productive path. With more than 7 million low-income children receiving health care coverage through SCHIP, it’s important that our nation acts now to protect this precious resource. Studies show that uninsured children do poorer in school than their insured classmates, and can suffer severe health consequences. Uninsured children are more than twice as likely to go without care for recurring ear infections, which, if untreated can lead to permanent hearing loss. They… Read more
It’s impossible to deny that quick access to health IT guides better diagnostics and treatment decisions and can improve the quality, efficiency and safety of patient care. It’s also impossible to say how much money it will take to adopt a nationwide health IT system. What we do know is that doing nothing will be far more expensive. Congress is taking important steps to help integrate health IT into routine care processes in all health care settings through H.R. 598, the HITECH Act. While not perfect, H.R. 598 confirms the government’s commitment to lead—it requires the federal government to… Read more
As the 111th Congress prepares to convene, our health care “system” faces a perfect storm of challenges. The ripple effects of the financial market crisis, the subsequent rise in unemployment and the loss of job-based health care coverage have impacted health care like never before. Yet Congress, through the planned economic stimulus bill, can enact several key health care measures to help improve America’s economic and overall health. Rising unemployment makes the challenge of finding ways to increase access to care for the uninsured even more difficult. In the stimulus package, Congress should consider a number of options to ensure and expand coverage for… Read more
It’s impossible to talk about improving health care today without addressing the 46 million people who lack health care coverage. No one knows better than hospitals that the immediate consequence of no health coverage—poor health—is a major roadblock to better health and better health care. Everyone deserves health care coverage that provides the right care, at the right time, in the right place. Health coverage for all, paid for by all is a shared responsibility. And everyone – individuals, business, insurers and governments – must play a role in both expanding and paying for coverage. Expanding and improving the current… Read more
Senator Baucus’ Call to Action puts the right focus on the very urgent need to improve health care in America. His plan puts forward many good ideas that the nation should consider as we build a better health care system. The economic challenges we currently face demonstrate that reform is needed now more than ever. Today, we have a non-system that leaves 46 million people without coverage, and relies on reimbursement policies with incentives that promote neither efficiencies nor better care. Without change, the health of our nation will only get worse. To improve health, we need to focus on… Read more
We’re very pleased with the expected nomination of Senator Tom Daschle to the position of Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Sen. Daschle brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to HHS, and has a proven track record of building bipartisan consensus on some of our nation’s most difficult challenges. During his nearly three decades of representing his state in the U.S. Congress, South Dakota’s hospitals always found Sen. Daschle to be accessible and understanding of the issues facing America’s hospitals. We commend this great choice for Secretary of HHS and look forward to working with… Read more
Related Link: http://www.aha.org
