Articles
Consumerism, Hospital Field Realignment
New York Times Story on Consolidation Doesn’t Tell the Full Story
By Rick Pollack
“When Hospitals Merge, Patients Often Pay More” doesn’t paint a full picture of the root cause of higher health care costs to consumers.
Social Determinants of Health
Perspective: HHS Takes Step in the Right Direction on Social Determinants of Health
By Rick Pollack
However, there’s still much to do.
Access & Health Coverage, Enroll in Health Insurance
Perspective: Open Enrollment Underway – How Hospitals & Health Systems Can Help
By Rick Pollack
When more people have health coverage, everyone wins—the patients who need care, the insurers that provide coverage, and the hospitals and health systems that provide care.
Access & Health Coverage
Perspective: The Importance of Comprehensive Coverage
By Rick Pollack
Open enrollment on the marketplaces begins on Nov. 1 for 2019 coverage and runs through Dec. 15, and America’s hospitals and health systems have a vital role to play in connecting consumers with health coverage.
Cybersecurity
Perspective: Cybersecurity is Our Promise to Patients
By Rick Pollack
October is cybersecurity month (in reality, every month is cybersecurity month) but this is a good time to review the overall landscape.
United Against the Flu
Perspective: United Against the Flu
By Rick Pollack
Flu season is just getting started. The responsibility to keep our patients healthy lies in the hands of every member of our hospital and health system family.
Access to Care in Vulnerable Communities, AHA
Perspective: Protecting Access to Care in the Community
By Rick Pollack
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently made several proposals that could reduce access to care in the community, particularly for vulnerable patients. We’ve urged CMS to withdraw these proposals for several reasons.
Opioids
Perspective: Moving Forward on Opioids
By Rick Pollack
The opioid epidemic’s grip on our communities continues to be a major challenge. At the same time, we also see progress in addressing the problem.
Access & Health Coverage, Access to Care in Vulnerable Communities
Perspective: The Wrong Prescription for Access to Care
By Rick Pollack
Having options is good. Having options when it comes to health care is essential. Patients need the flexibility to get the treatment they need in the setting that’s most appropriate and convenient for them. But a recent proposal by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services could jeopardize patients’ access to convenient care.
Paying for Health Care
Op-ed Wrongly Lays the Blame for High Costs on EDs
By Rick Pollack
In times of distress, Americans turn to hospital emergency departments. They do so because they know that there they will find care – from simple stitches to sophisticated diagnostics to emergency surgery. And they know that, no matter what, they will not be turned away.