FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Statement attributable to:
Bruce Siegel, MD, MPH
President and CEO
America’s Essential Hospitals
WASHINGTON — We share the president’s vision of a more equitable and just nation and a strong social safety net that meets the needs of all people for health care, housing, education, food security, and other necessities of life. Without these things, poor health and health care outcomes can result, and we appreciate the president’s focus on these social determinants.
We also applaud his vigorous response to COVID-19 and success getting vaccines to more than half of adults in his first 100 days. The president cautioned there is still work to do to beat the virus, and we agree — we must ensure our hospitals and other front-line providers have the federal funding and other support they need to meet current and future challenges.
So, we urge the administration to devote sustainable and robust support to Medicaid and other safety net programs and to prioritize essential hospitals’ infrastructure needs, including technology and workforce, as we emerge from the pandemic. As cornerstones of community health and economic activity, essential hospitals will be central to the nation’s recovery.
We look forward to working with the president and his administration on these priorities and on their work to combat structural racism and improve equity and reduce disparities for the underrepresented people essential hospitals serve.
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About America’s Essential Hospitals
America’s Essential Hospitals is the leading champion for hospitals and health systems dedicated to high-quality care for all, including the most vulnerable. We support our more than 300 members with advocacy, policy development, research, and education. Communities depend on essential hospitals to provide specialized, lifesaving services; train the health care workforce; advance public health and health equity; and coordinate care. Essential hospitals innovate and adapt to lead the way to more effective and efficient care. Learn more at essentialhospitals.org.
Contact:
Carl Graziano
cgraziano@essentialhospitals.org
202.585.0102
