June 22, 2010 12:28pm EST 

The definitive organization for representation and advocacy of hospitals, the American Hospital Association (AHA) is the national organization that represent and serves all types of hospitals, health care networks, and their patients and communities. With almost 5,000 hospitals, health care systems, networks and over 37,000 individual members, the AHA works to ensure that members’ perspectives and needs are heard and addressed in national health policy development, legislative and regulatory debates, and judicial matters. Founded in 1898, the AHA has been also been providing education for health care leaders and is a top resource of information for health care issues and trends.
With the mission to advance the health of individuals and communities, the AHA leads, represents and serves hospitals, health systems and other organizations accountable to the community and committed to health improvement. Since their inception, the AHA has accomplished more than any other organization of its kind can boast. For example, in 1937, the AHA established the Hospital Service Plan Commission, now known as Blue Cross. In 1951, the AHA played a large role in establishing the Commission on Financing of Hospital Services, which led to national recognition of special health care problems of the elderly, eventually leading to the Medicare legislation of 1965. The overarching goal of serving the needs of communities and health improvement were the driving force behind all of their initiatives, past and present.
A current issue present in the AHA is the lack of health care coverage for all. The economic crisis has forever changed the way citizens, organizations, businesses and governments think about the future. Necessary changes in the American health care system are coming more and more obvious. The AHA believes that everyone deserves health care coverage that provides the right care, at the right time, in the right place. Health care coverage for all, paid for by all is an essential element of health reform supported by the AHA through the Health for Life framework for change that also includes a focus on wellness, more efficient, affordable care, and the highest quality of care available to all Americans. The AHA continues to fight for these issues, whether they are focused on health care reform or on the pressing day-to-day challenges hospitals confront.

You can visit the AHA website, where you can find all of the information you need regarding the AHA and hospitals around the United States.