We Will Emerge Stronger for Our Patients, Our Communities, and Our Nation
Members of America’s Essential Hospitals:
The Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol Building and our democratic ideals marked a painful low point in a recent history of profound divisions across our nation.
These events were deeply personal for those of us at America’s Essential Hospitals. We make the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area our home, and our offices are just a few blocks up Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol Building. So, the sense of insecurity was palpable. For me, it was personal in another way: I am the son and grandson of immigrants who left broken nations and came to America for its democratic norms and rule of law. To see such disorder unfold was heartbreaking.
While these events sadden us, they also deepen our resolve to have a voice in the hard work ahead to heal our nation. At its most basic level, our association is a fundamental part of the democratic process that came under attack yesterday. As advocates, our members have a role and duty to protect this process on behalf of the patients and communities they serve.
Essential hospitals are no strangers to violence that can tear apart a community. The root causes of the turmoil they see might have little in common with the motivations behind yesterday’s shameful acts. But nonetheless, our hospitals’ experience as agents of positive change and health and stability for communities will play an important role toward healing our country.
As we transition to a new administration and a fresh start, we will do our part to make access to affordable, equitable health care a necessary element of policies and programs to build a stronger nation.
Bruce Siegel, MD, MPH
President and CEO
Author