Perspective
Perspective is a weekly blog from Rick Pollack, president and CEO of the 黑料正能量 Association, that explores the most important issues facing hospitals and health systems.
1.5 million people. That鈥檚 the approximate number of people that hospitals and health systems have treated for COVID-19 since the pandemic began. To put that in perspective, that would mean filling Chicago鈥檚 Soldier Field to capacity 24 times.
For the last few weeks, we鈥檝e used this space to highlight the need for the next COVID-19 relief package to provide hospitals and health systems with additional resources and support so they can continue to care for patients and protect communities.
Congress returns to Washington, D.C., next week, and its top focus will be passing President Biden鈥檚 $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief legislation.
The nation鈥檚 COVID-19 vaccination effort continues to have challenges, and we are committed to working with all stakeholders to make it as effective as possible to protect our patients and communities.
President Biden and congressional Democrats are moving forward with the president鈥檚 $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief proposal.
Our country is ready, eager and hopeful this year for at least a partial return to the pre-COVID-19 world. Everyone has a role to play in getting there.
鈥淲e have much to do, much to repair, much to restore, much to heal, much to build 鈥 and much to gain.鈥
Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Since it became a federal holiday in 1983, MLK Day has become widely celebrated as a day of public service for individuals, communities and organizations.
The past 10 months have been filled with jarring and dissonant images, scenes that have prompted us to say, 鈥渘ever thought we鈥檇 see that in our country.鈥 Unfortunately, we now have to add yesterday鈥檚 storming of the U.S. Capitol and assault on our democracy to that mix.
For 50 weeks this year, this Friday column has tracked the ups and downs, the triumphs and the setbacks of the most heroic chapter in the history of America鈥檚 hospitals and health systems.