Last week, Council Thoughts focused on the need for hospitals to build key allies across community, political, and economic sectors. This week, we turn to the other half of the picture: Hospitals must also look inward for partnership in a rapidly changing health care environment. More than ever, we must be one another’s allies.
Hospitals are stronger when we move beyond competition and toward collaboration. Being an ally means sharing resources, insight, and strategies. It means lifting each other when challenges arise — and speaking with a unified voice when it matters the most. No single hospital, regardless of size or reputation, can navigate today’s pressures alone. Together, we form a network of knowledge, resilience, and innovation that benefits us, our communities, and the patients we serve.
That spirit of allyship was on display at the American Hospital Association’s (AHA’s) recent Regional Policy Board meeting held March 13-14, attended by Hospital Council, the California Hospital Association (CHA), and health care leaders from six western states. The discussion focused on three key issues:
- The impact of potential federal and state budget cuts on hospital funding and Medicaid reimbursements
- The need to ensure the viability of all hospitals — from rural facilities and academic medical centers to independent hospitals and those operated by local and regional government entities
- The importance of strong, coordinated advocacy efforts to maintain and expand critical funding streams
The conversations and collaborations that took place at this meeting will help shape policies that protect patient care. Also, the ongoing partnership among Hospital Council, CHA, and AHA remains vital as we monitor budget developments and continue to engage with legislators and policymakers at every level of government.
More broadly, when hospitals support each other, we model the kind of care and connection we want to see across our entire health system. At Hospital Council, we know the power of hospitals acting together — jointly advancing advocacy, workforce pipelines, emergency preparedness, behavioral health initiatives, and more. These efforts prove that collective action is not just possible, it’s essential.
So, let’s remember “ally” is a noun and a verb. It’s something we are to each other, and it is also something we do. It’s checking in with a peer CEO during a crisis. It’s lending expertise to a neighboring hospital’s new initiative, and it’s showing up — together — to make our voices heard.