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.
鈥淧rescription drug prices are out of control,鈥 wrote AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack and America鈥檚 Health Insurance Plans President and CEO Marilyn Tavenner in a Dec. 31 OpEd in The Hill. 鈥淭he average annual cost for one specialty medication to treat a chronic condition is now more than what鈥
It鈥檚 been an historic year for America鈥檚 hospitals and health systems. Congress last night approved a short-term continuing resolution funding the government through Jan. 19. While the bill included some priorities important to the field 鈥 it also left unfinished business that we鈥檒l work to address鈥
Last month, I visited Puerto Rico with a team of six members assembled by the AHA, Greater New York Hospital Association, and Healthcare Association of New York State, as part of our initiative to identify ways the field can aid in this health care community鈥檚 long-term recovery and return to鈥
Clarity is important in health care. It is particularly important when the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is spelling out the 鈥渞ules of the road鈥 for hospitals to be able to participate in Medicare and Medicaid. Hospitals and their employees are dedicated to patient well-being鈥
Congress has crafted a compromise tax reform bill based on the versions passed by the House and Senate. What are the implications for America鈥檚 hospitals and health systems?