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
Leadership, Health Insurance, Access & Health Coverage
UnitedHealth Group Earnings: What They Suggest about Patient Access to Care
UnitedHealth Group announced a jaw-dropping $6 billion in earnings in a single quarter. But not enough has been said about a big contributor to these profits: not paying for health care services.
Community Benefit, Leadership
Lown Institute Report on Hospital Community Benefits Falls Short
The mission of all hospitals and health systems, regardless of size and type of ownership, is to care for their patients and communities. In fact, an Ernst and Young report from 2019 demonstrates that for every dollar invested in non-profit hospitals and health systems through the federal tax exemption, $11 in benefits is delivered back to communities.
Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19), Workforce, Access to Behavioral Health, Reducing Healthcare Disparities
Perspective: Governance Lessons Gleaned During COVID-19
COVID-19 has been a learning experience on many fronts. Every facet of our health care system has been affected by the pandemic — from providers to patients to hospital and health system CEOs — and we will be sorting out lessons learned for some time to come.
Leadership, COVID-19: Protecting Health Care Workers, Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19)
Perspective: This Fourth of July Calls for Special Thanks
Founding Father John Adams believed that July 2, was the correct date on which to celebrate the birth of American independence, and he reportedly would turn down invitations to appear at July 4 events in protest.
Leadership, Health Insurance, Emergency Departments (EDs), Commercial Insurer Accountability
Perspective: UnitedHealthcare’s Dangerous ED Coverage Policy is Temporarily Halted
Just days ago, UnitedHealthcare announced a new policy that threatened to deny some patient claims for emergency services starting July 1 if the insurer determined that the patient didn’t need emergency-level care.
Infrastructure, Leadership, Advocacy & Public Policy
Perspective: Say It Again, Hospitals and Health Systems are an Integral Part of America’s Infrastructure
Congress returns to Washington, D.C., Monday, and negotiations are continuing with the Biden Administration on an infrastructure legislative package. It is time — once again — to make sure lawmakers are mindful of what most Americans already know: Reliable, well-resourced and highly functional hospitals are an essential and irreplaceable part of our national infrastructure.
Cybersecurity, Leadership
Perspective: Managing the Increase in Cyber Threats
The threat to public health from the pandemic is thankfully subsiding. Unfortunately, a very different threat is on the rise: Cyber criminals have been ramping up their attacks on the health care sector, jeopardizing systems and putting lives at risk.
Advancing Health in America, Leadership, Telehealth, COVID-19: Protecting Health Care Workers
Perspective: Integrated Health Systems Help Enhance Value, Access for Patients and Communities
As our country continues to emerge slowly from the COVID-19 pandemic, the value of America’s hospitals and health systems – and the 6 million women and men who work there – has never been more apparent.
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.
Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19), COVID-19: Coverage and Reimbursement
Perspective: A Boost for the Continuing Fight Against COVID-19
The heroic efforts of our hospitals, health systems and care teams in fighting the pandemic over the past 17 months is a testament to the dedication and determination of the best health professionals in the world.