Care For PA

Each day the blue and white "H�? sign points millions of Pennsylvania patients and families to the one place they can rely on to provide hope and healing at the most vulnerable times of life. Likewise, each day more than 250,000 men and women working and volunteering in Pennsylvania's hospitals are helping keep that promise. This newsletter is for you.

Since 1775, when America's first inpatient hospital opened its doors in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania hospitals have held a special bond with the communities they serve. Today, more than 250 hospitals and hundreds of thousands of employees and volunteers in communities large and small are making those communities healthier.

By reading this issue of Pennsylvania Hospitals Today and signing up to receive future issues, you will learn about the great work being done in Pennsylvania's hospitals as well as learn about important issues that can help or even hurt your hospital and community. You will also learn about easy but important ways you can make a difference.

For example, did you know that Pennsylvania hospitals use some of the most advanced technologies to provide some 33 million outpatient visits, 1.8 million admissions, and 5 million emergency department visits each year, all without regard for patients' ability to pay? And in times of disaster, whether natural or man-made, hospitals play a key role in protecting public safety.

Hospitals are often the largest employer in a community, hiring skilled medical, nursing, pharmacy, and technician staff along with administrative, security, maintenance, and food service personnel of all ages and walks of life. The hospital's presence alone is often a major reason why new businesses choose to locate to a particular community, generating even more jobs.

All this is done in the face of mounting challenges. The government and insurance companies pay hospitals only a fraction of the cost to care for patients, while hospitals must spend more to purchase expensive new medical equipment, update buildings, and hire and retain a strong workforce. In addition, there are laws proposed all the time that could further limit Pennsylvania's hospitals' ability to provide care.

While daunting, these challenges are not insurmountable. But your help is needed.

So please take a few minutes to read this newsletter and sign up to receive future issues. By doing so, you'll be helping to strengthen your hospital, your community, and the future of Pennsylvania's health care.

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