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AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack began AHA’s 2024 Annual Meeting remarking on the essential work of hospitals and health systems, as well as the many challenges they are facing, including workforce shortages, underpayment, supply chain issues and cyberattacks.  

The key to facing these challenges, Pollack said, is to educate policymakers, especially in an election year, about the many obstacles hospitals face. He encouraged members to use AHA’s We Care, We Vote initiative to encourage elected officials and candidates to support legislation and policies that protect patients’ access to care.  

Though current circumstances are difficult, Pollack reminded attendees that the work of hospitals and health system is vital to the country and that there is hope. “Our communities are counting on us to meet this moment,” he said. “And they are counting on us to help create a better future for health care in our country.”