AHA Press Releases

Two programs will be honored with the American Hospital Association 2025 Circle of Life Award for their efforts in palliative and end-of-life care. The winning programs are Gilchrist, Baltimore, Md., and Bristol Hospice – Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii. Both winners will receive this prestigious recognition during the AHA’s Leadership Summit in Nashville on July 20-22.

The American Hospital Association (AHA) today announced that it will honor five programs with the AHA Dick Davidson NOVA Award for their hospital-led collaborative efforts that improve community health. The winning programs are the Community Resource Center, Endeavor Health, Evanston, Ill.; iHeart Collaborative, IU Health, Indianapolis, Ind.; Community Behavioral Health Workforce Development Program, Mass General Brigham, Boston, Mass.; Food Rx Program, MedStar Health, Baltimore, Md.; and Healthy Moms, Rochester Regional Health, Rochester, N.Y.

The AHA is disappointed that CMS proposes an inadequate Medicare outpatient hospital payment update as many hospitals — especially those in rural and underserved communities — operate under challenging financial pressures.

The American Hospital Association (AHA) today announced that Hartford HealthCare in Hartford, Conn., is the 2025 recipient of the AHA Quest for Quality Prize. CommonSpirit Health in Chicago has been named a finalist. The winners will receive this prestigious recognition during the AHA’s Leadership Summit in Nashville, July 20-22.

The American Hospital Association (AHA) announced today that Fairview Health Services in Minnesota is the 2025 winner of the AHA’s Foster G. McGaw Prize for Excellence in Community Service.

Despite months of clearly demonstrating the implications that these Medicaid proposals will have on the patients and communities we serve, especially the most vulnerable populations, Congress has enacted cuts of nearly a trillion dollars to the Medicaid program.

We are deeply disappointed by today’s vote in the United States Senate to advance the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1). The real-life consequences of these nearly $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts – the largest ever proposed by Congress – will result in irreparable harm to our health care system, reducing access to care for all Americans and severely undermining the ability of hospitals and health systems to care for our most vulnerable patients.

On behalf of the patients and communities we serve, America’s hospitals oppose the Senate substitute to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

The American Hospital Association (AHA) is launching a new TV and digital ad urging Congress to protect access to hospital care across the nation as it considers legislation that could have far-ranging negative consequences for patients, communities and hospitals across America.

We continue to review the Senate Finance Committee’s proposal. However, it appears that the provisions further undermine the ability for hospitals to provide care to Medicaid patients. This bill moves in the wrong direction.

The American Hospital Association (AHA) today released a new, comprehensive report that measures the substantial financial resources hospitals and health systems spend on preventing and responding to violence in their facilities and communities.

The AHA's hospitals and health systems have significant concerns regarding the harmful Medicaid and Health Insurance Marketplace provisions currently included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).

The magnitude of the proposals contained in the Energy and Commerce reconciliation text represents a devastating blow to the health and well-being of our nation’s most vulnerable citizens and communities. There is no avoiding the real-life consequences they will create for hospitals serving our most vulnerable and hard-working families.

Every day, health care workers bravely serve our communities, providing lifesaving care often under stressful circumstances. It is unacceptable that these dedicated caregivers regularly face the threat of violence while working to help patients heal.

The American Hospital Association (AHA) today presented two federal hospital leaders with awards recognizing their outstanding service to the health care field. These awards recognize uniformed and non-uniformed federal health care leaders who have distinguished themselves through singularly significant or innovative achievements and leadership that have contributed substantially to the mission of the federal health system.

The American Hospital Association (AHA) today announced that Phyllis Cowling, former president and CEO of United Regional Health Care System in Wichita Falls, Texas, will be awarded its 2025 Board of Trustees Award. The Board of Trustees Award is presented to individuals or groups who have made substantial and noteworthy contributions to the work of the AHA on behalf of the hospital field. Cowling will receive the award during a May 5 ceremony at the AHA Annual Membership Meeting in Washington, D.C.

The American Hospital Association (AHA) today announced that Ron Werft, former president and CEO and now president emeritus of Cottage Health in Santa Barbara, Calif., will be awarded its 2025 Board of Trustees Award. The Board of Trustees Award is presented to individuals or groups who have made substantial and noteworthy contributions to the work of the AHA on behalf of the hospital field. Werft will receive the award during a May 5 ceremony at the AHA Annual Membership Meeting in Washington, D.C. 

The American Hospital Association (AHA) today announced that the 2025 Justin Ford Kimball Innovators Award will be awarded to Jim Leonard, MD, president and CEO of Carle Health in Urbana, Ill. The award recognizes Leonard for his innovative approach to health care delivery that improves access and coordination of care. Leonard will receive the award during a ceremony on May 5 at the AHA Annual Membership Meeting in Washington, D.C.

The American Hospital Association (AHA) today released a new report showing that hospitals and health systems continue to experience significant financial headwinds that can challenge their ability to provide always-there, essential care to their patients and communities.

The American Hospital Association (AHA) today announced that its 2025 Award of Honor will be presented to Mary Beth Kingston, PhD, RN, FAAN for her dedication to advancing the nursing profession and improving patient care. The award is given to individuals or organizations in recognition of exemplary contributions to the health and well-being of our nation through leadership on major health policy or social initiatives. Kingston will receive the award during a ceremony on May 5 at the AHA Annual Membership Meeting in Washington, D.C.