AHA responds to New York Times article on hospital layoffs

In a published yesterday, AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack notes, 鈥淓ven before the Covid-19 pandemic, the financial state of many hospitals was very fragile, with one of every four hospitals in America operating in the red.
鈥淓very hospital in America prepared for Covid-19 patients. Moreover, every hospital stopped doing regularly scheduled procedures. As a result, expenses have skyrocketed and revenues have virtually dried up. Our own report found that hospitals and health systems are projected to lose more than $200 billion between March 1 and June 30 because of this pandemic.
鈥淎nd while $44 billion in relief funds has been sent to hospitals, the government assistance won鈥檛 make up for the catastrophic financial losses created by Covid-19. Moody鈥檚 also found that the federal aid won鈥檛 completely cover the revenue hospitals will lose.
鈥淲e need support and resources to ensure that we can continue to deliver the critical care that our patients and communities depend on, while also ensuring that we are prepared for the continuing challenges we face from this pandemic, as well as other potential emergencies.鈥