WASHINGTON, July 21 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is a statement from Dick Davidson, President of the American Hospital Association:
America's hospitals are about people taking care of people, often at the most vulnerable times in their life. That is a responsibility hospitals take seriously. Day in and day out, the people of America's hospitals are on the front lines caring for the nation's poor, uninsured and other patients in their communities. Hospitals are a vital part of their communities and the services they provide extend well beyond the four walls of the hospital.
As the national advocate for hospitals, the AHA has consistently supported our members as they have developed fair and compassionate policies to help the uninsured. The AHA has worked diligently to push government by emphasizing and seeking solutions to the issue of helping hospitals serve the uninsured.
This assault on community hospitals is misdirected and baseless -- diverting focus away from the real issue of how we as a nation are going to extend health care coverage to all Americans.
When the facts are known, the reality of what's happening in the communities hospitals serve will be found to be far different than the charges outlined in these lawsuits. We are confident the cases will be easily defeated and the resources of these hospitals will again be freed up to address the important mission each has in contributing to its community.
American Hospital AssociationCONTACT: Alicia Mitchell, +1-202-626-2339, or Jennifer Armstrong Gay,+1-202-626-2342, both of the American Hospital Association
Web site: http://www.aha.org/
