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More than 350 hospital and health system leaders from across the country today participated in an AHA Virtual Advocacy Day to urge senators to include priorities that support hospitals and health systems in the next COVID-19 legislative package.

AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack and AHA Executive Vice President Tom Nickels provided the latest from Capitol Hill and then hospital leaders urged their senators to include the following in the next legislative package:

• full forgiveness for accelerated payments for hospitals;
• additional dollars for the emergency provider relief fund;
• appropriate liability protections to front-line medical providers and facilities;
• additional support for front-line health care personnel; and
• maintaining health benefits for individuals and families and increasing coverage options for those who are uninsured.

“When it comes to getting assistance, we believe we should be at the front of the line … because we are on the front lines,” Pollack said.