Perspective
Perspective is a weekly blog from Rick Pollack, president and CEO of the 黑料正能量 Association, that explores the most important issues facing hospitals and health systems.
Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Since it became a federal holiday in 1983, MLK Day has become widely celebrated as a day of public service for individuals, communities and organizations.
The past 10 months have been filled with jarring and dissonant images, scenes that have prompted us to say, 鈥渘ever thought we鈥檇 see that in our country.鈥 Unfortunately, we now have to add yesterday鈥檚 storming of the U.S. Capitol and assault on our democracy to that mix.
For 50 weeks this year, this Friday column has tracked the ups and downs, the triumphs and the setbacks of the most heroic chapter in the history of America鈥檚 hospitals and health systems.
Benjamin Franklin said 鈥渆nergy and persistence conquers all things.鈥 Those words are certainly appropriate for this year as we continue our battle against COVID-19. They also are very pertinent for the next week as we must keep the pressure on Congress to make sure they provide hospitals and health鈥
Two hundred twenty-four. That鈥檚 the number of days since the last COVID-19 relief package was signed into law.
Like everything else this year, Thanksgiving will be different. We hope that everyone will heed the recent letter to the American people from the AHA, AMA, and ANA 鈥 which lays out very strong reasons for not traveling this year, but celebrating instead within our immediate households. Of course we鈥
鈥淒on鈥檛 let perfect be the enemy of the good鈥 is a quote credited to the French writer and thinker Voltaire. Although he died in 1778, that phrase is very appropriate today when discussing the Affordable Care Act.
We shouldn鈥檛 be surprised by now, but 2020 continues to be an extraordinary year 鈥 and it鈥檚 not over yet.
We鈥檝e been discussing for months how hospitals and health systems are contending with the worst financial crisis in their history as they continue to serve on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19.
A COVID-19 vaccine is likely coming soon. Whether it鈥檚 next month, at the end of the year or in early 2021, many scientific experts believe we will have one or more safe and effective vaccines to combat the deadly virus.