American Hospital Association
| American Hospital Association | |
 | |
| Basic facts | |
| Location: | Washington, D.C. |
| Type: | 501(c)(6) |
| Top official: | Richard J. Pollack, President and CEO |
| Year founded: | 1899 |
| Website: | Official website |
The American Hospital Association (AHA) is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit trade association and lobbying group representing nearly 5,000 hospitals and health institutions as well as 37,000 individual members across the United States. As a 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization, the AHA aims to advance the common interest and public policy priorities of its member hospitals and healthcare professionals.[1]
Background
The American Hospital Association was established in 1899 as the American Association of Hospital Superintendents. The organization aimed to facilitate communication and collaboration among hospital superintendents. The group changed its name to the American Hospital Association (AHA) in 1906 upon the addition of high-level hospital administrators and executive officers to the organization's membership. In 1918, the AHA broadened its membership base by admitting its first institutional member.[2]
In 1937, the AHA organized the Hospital Service Plan Commission (HSPC) in order to facilitate prepayment for hospital services. The HSPC eventually developed into Blue Cross. In 1951, the AHA participated in the establishment of the Commission on Financing of Hospital Services, which analyzed the interactions between senior citizens and healthcare providers and contributed to the formation of Medicare in 1965.[3]
The AHA organized the AHA House of Delegates in 1938 in order to give a proportional voice to members according to participation in each state. The proportional representation eventually shifted to account for the dues revenue, rather than the membership numbers, attributed to each state. The AHA developed nine regional advisory boards in 1968 to improve communication between the House of Delegates and the Board of Trustees as well as build relationships with state-level hospital associations. In 1987, the regional advisory boards became regional policy boards.[3]
While the AHA originally focused on achieving efficiency in hospital operations, the organization's goals broadened by the 1950s to include the promotion of public welfare, education, and research. In 1987, the AHA included advocacy and public policy outreach in its overall mission.[2]
As of October 2025, the American Hospital Association (AHA) displays the following mission statement on its website: "To advance the health of all individuals and communities. The AHA leads, represents and serves hospitals, health systems and other related organizations that are accountable to communities and committed to equitable care and health improvement for all."[4]
Work and activities
The American Hospital Association aims to support the public policy priorities of its members by engaging in federal government advocacy activities across the executive, legislative, and regulatory arenas in addition to forming partnerships with state and local affiliates. The AHA also works to provide its members with educational opportunities and serves as a hub of information on the healthcare sector.[5][6]
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| Healthcare policy in the U.S. |
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| Obamacare overview |
| Obamacare lawsuits |
| Medicare and Medicaid |
| Healthcare statistics |
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Legislative and policy work
Advocacy Agenda
According to the American Hospital Association's website, "In 2025, the American Hospital Association (AHA) will engage with Congress, the Administration, regulatory bodies and the judiciary to shape public policy to advance hospitals’ efforts to provide quality patient care. The AHA also will focus on ensuring the long-term viability of hospitals to serve their communities and promote health and wellness."[7]
The organization listed the following as focuses in its 2025 advocacy agenda:[7]
- "Ensuring Access to Care"
- "Strengthening the Health Care Workforce"
- "Advancing Quality and Health Care System Resiliency"
- "Leading Innovation in Care Delivery"
- "Reducing Health Care System Costs for Patient Care"
Affordable Care Act
The American Hospital Association (AHA) supported the Affordable Care Act through the legislative process, though it never released an official endorsement.[8][9][10] Following the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling to uphold the Affordable Care Act in June 2012, the AHA's CEO Rich Umbdenstock issued the following statement:
| “ | Today’s historic decision lifts a heavy burden from millions of Americans who need access to health coverage. The promise of coverage can now become a reality.
The decision means that hospitals now have much-needed clarity to continue on their path toward transformation. But transforming the delivery of healthcare will take much more than the strike of a gavel or stroke of a pen. It calls for the entire healthcare community to continue to work together, along with patients and purchasers, to implement better coordinated, high quality care. Now that the Supreme Court has made its decision, hospitals will continue their efforts to improve the law for patients, families and communities.[11][12] |
” |
Opposition
The American Hospital Association's (AHA) support of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) caused tension between the AHA and Republican legislators in the U.S. House of Representatives. By supporting the ACA, the AHA approved a $155 billion Medicare funding reduction in order to bring about broadened access to healthcare services under the law. Republican legislators, on the other hand, opposed the ACA and its accompanying fiscal implications.[8][10]
When Republican legislators proposed Medicare funding cuts in 2012 to help bring about deficit reduction, the AHA opposed the proposal on the grounds that the additional Medicare cuts would result in a potential loss of $61.4 billion and 278,000 jobs over the next decade for hospitals across the nation. Republican House members responded to the AHA's objections with the following statement: "Not so long ago, the major hospital trade associations endorsed and strongly supported legislation that became law. It contained $155 billion in hospital Medicare cuts—more than 10 times the reductions in H.R. 3630."[8]
Amicus brief activity
According to the AHA's website the organization "weighs in on a number of issues of importance to hospitals and health systems, as well as the patients they care for, as they come before the court. Below are our most recent friend-of-the-court briefs."[13]
Click here to find a list of amicus briefs.
Lobbying efforts
- See also: 501(c)(6)
Since politics and legislation may directly impact business activities, the American Hospital Association (AHA) and other 501(c)(6) organizations may engage in relevant lobbying and campaign activities as a means of advancing common business interests. The organization's political expenses are only tax deductible if they are used in certain capacities to lobby pertinent legislation before local-level governing authorities, such as city councils. The AHA may also participate in political campaign activities as long as political campaigning is not the organization's primary purpose.[14]
The AHA engages in a variety of lobbying activities within the federal government and regulatory agencies in order to support its public policy objectives. The AHA's lobbying priorities include a number of healthcare policy challenges, such as Medicare, patient safety, price transparency, health information technology, and medical education.[15]
The following table details the AHA's federal lobbying expenditures according to data from OpenSecrets:[16]
| Click "show" to the right to view the AHA's federal lobbying expenditures, 1998-2024 | |
|---|---|
| Tax Year | Total Expenditures |
| 2024 | $28,997,803 |
| 2023 | $30,218,230 |
| 2022 | $27,086,084 |
| 2021 | $25,265,934 |
| 2020 | $24,426,466 |
| 2019 | $27,060,680 |
| 2018 | $24,585,842 |
| 2017 | $22,993,214 |
| 2016 | $22,683,895 |
| 2015 | $22,691,650 |
| 2014 | $22,770,066 |
| 2013 | $21,017,953 |
| 2012 | $20,973,200 |
| 2011 | $22,472,341 |
| 2010 | $21,352,358 |
| 2009 | $20,487,676 |
| 2008 | $20,487,089 |
| 2007 | $20,346,545 |
| 2006 | $19,195,135 |
| 2005 | $16,887,186 |
| 2004 | $16,149,161 |
| 2003 | $15,872,664 |
| 2002 | $14,269,880 |
| 2001 | $14,198,000 |
| 2000 | $8,120,000 |
| 1999 | $12,880,000 |
| 1998 | $10,660,000 |
Notable endorsements
This section displays endorsements this organization made in elections within Ballotpedia's coverage scope. Know of one we missed? Click here to let us know.
Affiliations
The American Hospital Association lists the following related organizations on its website.
- AHA Center for Health Innovation
- Trustee Services
- AHA Physician Alliance
- Health Research & Educational Trust (HRET)
- AHA Professional Membership Groups (PMGs)
- American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL)
Finances
As a 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization, the American Hospital Association (AHA) is chiefly funded by membership dues. According to the AHA's tax filings, the organization's revenue is made up of member contributions, program services, and investment income. The AHA also accepts contributions from outside businesses and organizations that share in its mission.[17][18]
The following is a breakdown of the American Hospital Association's revenues and expenses from 2011 to 2023, according to filings with the Internal Revenue Service compiled by ProPublica.[19]
| Year | Revenue | Expenses |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | $113 million | $105.2 million |
| 2012 | $118 million | $109.4 million |
| 2013 | $124.4 million | $117 million |
| 2014 | $126.3 million | $112.3 million |
| 2015 | $127.8 million | $116.5 million |
| 2016 | $129.9 million | $120.8 million |
| 2017 | $137.5 million | $126.3 million |
| 2018 | $134.3 million | $140.7 million |
| 2019 | $142.8 million | $136.2 million |
| 2020 | $119.9 million | $118.3 million |
| 2021 | $128.9 million | $118.6 million |
| 2022 | $138.1 million | $132.2 million |
| 2023 | $144.7 million | $144.9 million |
Leadership
The following individuals hold leadership positions with the American Hospital Association:
Executive leadership
Below is a list of the American Hospital Association's executive leadership as of October 2025:[20]
- Richard J. Pollack, President and CEO
- Michelle Hood, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer; President and CEO, Health Forum
- Stacey Hughes, Executive Vice President, Government Relations and Public Policy
- Chris DeRienzo, Senior Vice President, Chief Physician Executive
- Susan Gergely, Senior Vice President, Chief People Officer
- Chad Golder, General Counsel and Secretary
- Lisa Kidder Hrobsky, Senior Vice President, Federal Relations, Advocacy, and Political Affairs
- Joy Rhoden, Senior Vice President and Executive Director, Division of Health Outcomes and Care Transformation
- Alicia Mitchell, Senior Vice President, Communications
- Jeanette Porter, Senior Vice President, Field Engagement
- Megan Schaefer, Group Vice President, Governance
- Ashley Thompson, Senior Vice President, Public Policy Analysis and Development
- Jay Tyler, Jr., Senior Vice President, Association Services; Chief Financial Officer
- Darlene Vanderbush, Vice President, Executive Operations
- Claire M. Zangerle, Senior Vice President and Chief Nurse Officer
Board of trustees
Below is a list of the American Hospital Association's Board of Trustees as of October 2025:
- Christina Freese Decker, Chair; Corewell Health, Grand Rapids, MI
- Marc L. Boom, Chair-Elect; Houston Methodist, Houston, TX
- Joanne M. Conroy, Immediate Past Chair; Dartmouth Health, Lebanon, NH
- Richard J. Pollack, President and CEO; American Hospital Association, Washington, DC
- Schonay Barnett-Jones, Trustee; Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC
- Kurt A. Barwis, President and CEO, Bristol Health, Inc., Bristol, CT
- Victoria W. Bayless, CEO, Luminis Health, Annapolis, MD
- Joan Coffman, President and CEO, St. Tammany Health System, Covington, LA
- Eric D. Fish, President and CEO, Schneck Medical Center, Seymour, IN
- Mary Ann Fuchs, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Executive, Centra Health, Lynchburg, VA
- Bill Gassen, President and CEO, Sanford Health, Sioux Falls, SD
- Russell R. Gronewold, President and CEO, Bryan Health, Lincoln, NE
- Leslie Hirsch, President and CEO, Saint Peter’s Healthcare System, New Brunswick, NJ
- Joseph Impicciche, CEO, Ascension Healthcare, St. Louis, MO
- Laura S. Kaiser, President and CEO, SSM Health, Saint Louis, MO
- Michael A. Mayo, President and CEO, Baptist Health; Adjunct Professor, University of North Florida, Brooks College of Health, Jacksonville, FL
- Timothy McManus, National Group President, HCA, Nashville, TN
- Lori Morgan, President and CEO, Huntington Hospital, Pasadena, CA
- Phillip O. Ozuah, President and CEO, Montefiore Einstein, Bronx, NY
- Brian Peters, President and CEO, Michigan Health and Hospital Association, Okemos, MI
- Steve Purves, President and CEO, Valleywise Health, Phoenix, AZ
- Terika Richardson, Chief Operating Officer, CommonSpirit Health, Chicago, IL
- Lisa A. Shannon, President and CEO, Allina Health, Minneapolis, MN
- Robert Lee Trestman, Senior Vice President and Chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Carilion Clinic; Carilion Clinic Institutional Research Officer; Professor and Chair, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA
- Michael O. Ugwueke, President and CEO, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, Memphis, TN
- Robert Vissers, President and CEO, Boulder Community Health, Boulder, CO
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms American Hospital Association. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
External links
- American Hospital Association homepage
- American Hospital Association on X
- American Hospital Association on Facebook
- American Society for Healthcare Engineering homepage
- American Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administration homepage
- American Society for Healthcare Risk Management homepage
- Association for Community Health Improvement homepage
- Association for Healthcare Resource & Materials Management homepage
- Association for Healthcare Volunteer Resource Professionals homepage
- Association for the Healthcare Environment homepage
- Society for Healthcare Strategy & Market Development homepage
Footnotes
- ↑ American Hospital Association, "2014 Form 990," accessed April 27, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 American Hospital Association, "History," accessed April 26, 2016
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedVision - ↑ American Health Association, "AHA Mission and Vision," accessed October 15, 2025
- ↑ American Hospital Association, "About the AHA," accessed May 13, 2016
- ↑ American Hospital Association, "Regional executive directory," accessed May 13, 2016
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 American Hospital Association, "AHA 2025 Advocacy Agenda," accessed October 16, 2025
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Health Leaders Media, "ACA implementation threatens hospitals' united front," January 25, 2012
- ↑ Fierce Healthcare, "SGR, two-midnight rule remain high Congressional priorities," May 7, 2014
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 National Review, "Who gave us Obamacare?" August 13, 2012
- ↑ American Hospital Association, "Statement on Supreme Court decision on the Affordable Care Act," June 28, 2012
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ American Hospital Association, "Amicus Briefs," accessed October 16, 2025
- ↑ Internal Revenue Service, "Political campaign and lobbying activities of IRC 501(c)(4), (c)(5), and (c)(6) organizations," accessed December 21, 2015
- ↑ The American Hospital Association, "Key Issues," accessed April 27, 2016
- ↑ OpenSecrets, "Client Profile: American Hospital Association," accessed October 16, 2025
- ↑ American Hospital Association, "Acceptance of outside funding," accessed April 27, 2016
- ↑ GuideStar, "GuideStar report for the American Hospital Association," accessed May 13, 2016
- ↑ ProPublica, "American Hospital Association," accessed October 15, 2025
- ↑ American Hospital Association, "Executive Management Group," accessed October 15, 2025
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