Rick Pollack
President and CEO, AHA
Rick Pollack is president and CEO of the American Hospital Association (AHA), the nation’s largest hospital and health care system membership organization with nearly 5,000 member hospitals, health care systems, networks, and other providers of care.
Articles
Cost Management
Recent Article on Hospital Prices Omits Many Key Points
After two years on the frontlines in the battle against this pandemic, hospitals and health systems have seen a dramatic rise in costs of labor, drugs, supplies and equipment.
Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19), Cost Management, Strategic Planning
Perspective: Climbing Costs and Rising Inflation Challenge Hospitals’ Ability to Provide Care
Yesterday, our country surpassed a grim and somber milestone: 1 million COVID-19 deaths in the U.S..
Workforce, Hospitals Against Violence, Workplace Violence, Workplace Security, Nurses, National Hospital Week
Perspective: A Week of Appreciation, Gratitude and Thanks
Two of the simplest words also carry the most meaning: “thank you.”
AHA Annual Membership Meeting, Workforce, Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19), Rural issues, Post-Acute Care, Advocacy & Public Policy, Reducing Healthcare Disparities
Perspective: Reconnected and Ready to Rebuild and Reimagine a Better Health Care System
Courage. Compassion. Workforce. Health equity. Heroes. Challenges. Innovation. Community partnerships. Leadership. Opportunities. These were some of the most common words we heard from attendees and speakers talking about our field at this week’s AHA Annual Membership Meeting in Washington, D.C.
Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19), Access & Health Coverage
Perspective: Ensuring Our Message is Heard as Congress Returns to Washington
Americans are ready to move on from COVID-19, but the virus isn’t finished, and hospitals are still feeling the crush of the pandemic.
Workforce, Medicare, Medical Education/Teaching Hospitals, Workforce Education, Nurses, International Staff
Hospital Workforce Shortage Crisis Demands Immediate Action
AHA member hospitals and health systems are committed to supporting the health care workforce. We support lifting the cap on Medicare-funded physician residencies; boosting support for nursing schools and faculty; providing scholarships and loan forgiveness; and, expediting visas for all highly trained foreign health care workers.
Workforce, COVID-19: Organizational Preparedness and Capacity Planning, COVID-19: Protecting Health Care Workers
Supporting the Health Care Workers Who Supported All of Us
Health care is, at its core, people caring for people. But the pandemic has strained our health care workforce like never before. The Bureau of Labor Statistics found that hospital employment decreased by almost 100,000 from February 2020 to September 2021, and 30% of health care workers have considered leaving the profession during the pandemic.
Mergers & Acquisitions, Hospital Field Realignment, Advancing Best Practices for Hospitals & Health Systems
Value of Health Systems Shown Clearly During the Pandemic
As our nation emerges slowly from the devastating effects of the pandemic, the value of America’s hospitals and health systems—and the women and men who work there—has never been more clear. Whether treating patients with compassion and bravery, providing life-saving care or stepping in to plug the gaps in the nation’s ailing public health infrastructure in other ways, hospitals and health systems were there for all of us when we needed them the most.
Affordable Care Act
Perspective: The ACA is working – let’s make it work even better
Even with all the wrenches that have been thrown at it, the ACA has improved access to care, especially among those who needed it most.
Drug Prices
Perspective: Holding the Pharmaceutical Companies Accountable for Skyrocketing Drug Prices
Patients and their providers rely on these prescription drugs for treating injury and managing illness. Yet the drug companies and their shareholders have been treating America’s patients and providers like a piggybank.