American Hospital Association CEO plans to retire

During a summit on rural health care at Sanford Health in October, Rick Pollack described what drew him to the American Hospital Association.

He pointed to the familiar “H” signs on roads that lead to hospitals.

“It's an iconic symbol that basically suggests, and it's very true, that if you follow that sign, you're going to be taken care of,” Pollack said in October. “And what struck me is that this was an opportunity to represent the cornerstones of community, that are all about hope and healing and health.”

Pollack, who has served as president and CEO of the American Hospital Association since 2015, is now ready to pursue new roads. Pollack plans to retire by the end of 2026.

The association has tapped WittKieffer, an executive search firm, to look for the next leader of the organization, which represents nearly 5,000 hospitals. Pollack plans to remain fully engaged through the transition, the association said.

Pollack said in a statement that he has appreciated the opportunity to be an advocate for hospitals.

“It has been an honor and privilege to have had the opportunity to represent the women and men of America’s hospitals who are passionate in their commitment to providing essential public services, keeping people healthy and serving as the cornerstone of care for virtually every community in America,” Pollack said in a statement provided by the association.

“Hospital and health system leaders and their teams have always been a source of hope and healing, and they will continue to be for generations to come,” Pollack said.

Pollack has led the association through the COVID-19 pandemic, which challenged hospitals nationwide. He has pushed for federal funding for hospitals for everything from patient care to cybersecurity.

In recent years, Pollack has pushed Washington to provide more support for hospitals and health systems. He has said the federal government has routinely fallen short of providing the necessary financial support to hospitals, with Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements falling well below the cost of care.

Pollack has also railed against insurers for increasing delays in payments to hospitals and hassles with approval for treatment and services.

More recently, Pollack warned that the enactment of H.R. 1 over the summer, which includes big changes to Medicaid programs, will deliver a heavy financial blow to hospitals. He points to estimates of Medicaid spending being reduced by $1 trillion over the next decade.

The federal government has created the new $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program, but as Pollack noted at the Sanford Health summit, that won’t offset the bigger Medicaid cuts.

“The one big bill cut Medicaid a trillion dollars over a 10-year period,” Pollack said. “This transformation fund is $50 billion over five years. Okay, now, I never thought I would say $50 billion is a modest investment in anything, but put it in perspective.”

Kenneth E. Raske, president of the Greater New York Hospital Association, praised Pollack’s leadership and advocacy for hospitals.

“Rick Pollack is the preeminent voice and conscience of the hospital industry. His extraordinary career has been marked at all times by intelligence and class, but above all he is a true leader,” Raske said in a statement.

“Rick has spent decades successfully protecting health care funding, opposing harmful legislation, and supporting policies that help hospitals deliver high-quality care. He has earned the respect and admiration of countless individuals in all 50 states.”

Bill Gassen, president and CEO of Sanford Health, said in October that Pollack has helped shape “the conversation on health care access, on health care quality and health care sustainability.”

“Rick has been a tireless advocate for America's hospitals, championing policies that protect vulnerable populations, strengthen the healthcare workforce and ensure that care remains accessible in every community across this nation,” Gassen said.

Tina Freese Decker, president and chief executive officer of Corewell Health in Michigan and the chairperson of the AHA’s board of trustees, hailed his “endless dedication and relentless drive.”

“Rick Pollack’s tenure has been defined by his unwavering commitment to hospitals, caregivers and the communities we serve. His leadership guided hospitals through unprecedented challenges and transformations, while also advancing access, quality, and safety,” she said in a statement.

Pollack first joined the hospital association in 1982, and he spent more than two decades as the group’s executive vice president for advocacy and public policy.

Other trade associations representing the nation’s hospitals have seen leadership changes in recent months.

Jennifer DeCubellis took over as president and CEO of America’s Essential Hospitals a little more than two months ago. She succeeded Dr. Bruce Siegel, who retired after leading the organization since 2010.

Chip Kahn, president and CEO of the Federation of American Hospitals, announced over the summer that he is stepping down at the end of the year.

In 2023, Pollack spoke with Chief Healthcare Executive® at the American Hospital Association Leadership Summit. He offered advice for hospital leaders, stressing the importance of strengthening the workforce.

“Without a viable workforce, hospitals and the healthcare system will simply collapse,” he said. “We’ve got to focus on making sure that we’re caring for our caregivers.”

(See Rick Pollack’s advice for hospital leaders in this 2023 video.)