Federation of American Hospitals

This Thanksgiving, we’re especially thankful for the dedicated caregivers, doctors, and hospital staff who provide 24/7 care—even on holidays.   While most of us gather with loved ones to celebrate, emergencies don’t take a day off, and neither do our hospitals. Whether it’s treating holiday-related injuries or delivering life-saving care, hospitals ensure no patient is turned away. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eYVACdJh

This is a story of the extraordinary commitment of caregivers, quick thinking, and life-saving action. After finishing a night shift at HCA Florida Westside Hospital, Nurse Allison Seecoomare noticed something unusual about her regular gas station attendant, Luis Sanchez Mendia. Her stethoscope and expertise came into play, detecting a life-threatening heart murmur.   Allison urged Luis to seek immediate care at her hospital, where a team led by cardiac surgeon Dr. Alfredo Rego performed an emergency valve replacement, saving his life.   Now, Luis is making a remarkable recovery.   https://lnkd.in/e3HADKDC

Rural hospitals have long faced financial struggles with 16% of all rural hospitals considered at immediate risk of closure. Chief Healthcare Executive highlights a new report by Dobson DaVanzo & Associates, LLC showing a potential path forward: partnerships with larger systems. Read more to see how hospital integration has proven to be a lifeline for rural hospitals – and patients - in need.   https://lnkd.in/e5qViqht

Listen to a snippet from last week's episode of Hospitals in Focus, where Chip Kahn and Anika Gardenhire, RN,CHCIO dive into how Ardent Health keeps patients and their families at the core of everything they do. In this engaging conversation, Anika, Ardent Health's Chief Digital and Information Officer, discusses how they're leveraging artificial intelligence to translate complicated medical tests into easy-to-understand information, empowering patients and enhancing their health care experience. Listen: https://lnkd.in/eM5kKS9K

Keep Americans Covered launched an interactive map to show how rising premiums will impact families in every state across the country if enhanced tax credits expire in 2025. Without action, over 20 million people will face skyrocketing premiums after 2025, with 5 million losing their health coverage entirely. Learn more about how your community could be affected: https://lnkd.in/eKmPjMJE

As we close out #RuralHospitalWeek, we’re reminded that hospitals are crucial access points for rural patients, standing by 24/7 to provide critical care to everyone who walks through their doors. In rural America, where access to routine physician care is especially limited, patients turned to hospital emergency departments almost 18 million times in 2021 alone.    Read more from KNG Health Consulting, LLC and the Coalition to Strengthen America's Healthcare: https://buff.ly/4eZUyHK 

A recent survey from Keep Americans Covered reveals overwhelming support for extending enhanced health care tax credits. 86% of 2024 voters—including 82% of President-elect Trump voters—want the new administration and Congress to act now. The message is clear: Americans’ need for affordable health care crosses party lines. These tax credits save families an average of $700 annually and are a lifeline for millions of Americans. https://lnkd.in/g4czPKmf

Doctors, nurses, and clinicians are the backbone of rural health care, yet workforce shortages and provider burnout are pushing rural hospitals to their limits. Strengthening the rural health care workforce is essential to meeting the needs of patients in underserved communities.    Extending and expanding programs like Conrad 30, supporting legislation for federal protections for health care workers, and reallocating unused visas to increase the number of nurses and doctors will provide critical resources for rural hospitals. Learn more about #RuralHospitalWeek at: www.fah.org/rural

"Rural hospitals have the decks stacked against them. The combination of threats, including Medicare underpayment, managed care plans’ persistent delays and denials of patient care, and unique workforce challenges, are pushing rural hospitals to the financial brink..." FAH President and CEO Chip Kahn released a statement for #RuralHospitalWeek and #NationalRuralHealthDay with a poignant message on the critical role of rural hospitals and the challenges they face.

On #NationalRuralHealthDay, a new analysis by Dobson DaVanzo & Associates, LLC, and the Coalition to Strengthen America's Healthcare highlights that hospital integration can provide a lifeline to financially vulnerable rural hospitals, ensuring communities maintain access to critical health care services.   Key findings from the report: ▪ Financial Stability: Hospital systems help stabilize rural hospitals' finances, with total margins improving post-affiliation or merger. ▪ Access to Care: 55% of rural hospital closures between 2011-2021 were standalone facilities that lacked support of a larger system. 1 in 3 hospitals that were at high risk of closure were no longer high-risk following a merger or acquisition. 2 in 3 hospitals that were at high risk of closure were no longer high-risk following affiliation. ▪ Improved Outcomes: Integration addresses staffing shortages, updates technology, and standardizes care protocols for better patient health outcomes. Read the study: https://lnkd.in/ekne-v2h