March 30, 2023 – Scroll down to view livestream playback recording.

“Risky Business: Essential Hospitals in Uncertain Times”

Bruce Siegel, MD, MPH
President and CEO
America's Essential Hospitals

The COVID-19 pandemic laid bare the longstanding health inequities afflicting America, while highlighting the need for robust safety net “essential” hospitals. Yet we continue to rely on a weak patchwork of supports for these institutions as they struggle with surging costs and workforce disruptions in an uncertain political environment.

In this talk, Dr. Siegel will define what differentiates essential health systems like UTMB Health, and the immediate policy challenges they face in Washington, DC. He will also discuss the implications of new federal requirements and accountabilities around health care equity, while linking inequities to the broader legacies of discrimination and racism woven into the fabrics of our communities.


Since joining America’s Essential Hospitals in 2010, Dr. Bruce Siegel has used his health care management, policy, and public health experience to advance the association’s advocacy, leadership development, and health equity work. America’s Essential Hospitals has grown dramatically under his stewardship, becoming a stronger voice for hospitals caring for low-income and 0ther marginalized patients. He served previously as director of the Center for Health Care Quality at The George Washington University and as president and CEO of two member systems: the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation and Tampa General Healthcare. He also served as New Jersey’s commissioner of health.