AHA urges outreach to legislators

The American Hospital Association (AHA) is urging acute care organizations to invite their Congressional representatives—who are currently out for August recess—to visit their local hospitals. "Let them see your quality improvements, work to reduce readmissions, investments in health information technology, new community collaborations to improve population health, and partnerships with providers to better coordinate care," AHA president and CEO Rich Umbdenstock, FACHE, urged in a letter to members.

The letter, posted last week on the AHA website, also calls on members to enlist their representatives’ support for five bills: The Medicare Audit Improvement Act, DSH Reduction Relief Act, Fairness in Health Care Claims, Guidance and Investigations Act, Rural Hospital Access Act, and Protecting Access to Rural Therapy Services Act. “We must secure as many co-sponsors as possible for these bills. Use the recess as an opportunity to tell your legislators how these bills would positively impact your hospital, your patients and your community,” Umbdenstock wrote.