Since its establishment in 1923, the Hospital Association of Southern California (HASC) has been a driving force in advancing the interests of hospitals across six counties: Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, and Ventura. With a membership comprising 171 hospitals and 31 health systems, along with various professional organizations and associate members, HASC and its members stand united with a common goal — to enhance the operational environment for hospitals and elevate the health status of the diverse communities they serve.
HOSPITALS: THE HEART OF COMMUNITY HEALTH
The true essence of HASC’s dedication lies within the member hospitals it represents. These institutions are the heart of health care in the region, providing vital services that directly impact the lives of millions of Southern Californians. Each year, HASC hospitals exhibit unwavering commitment to their communities by:
• Caring for more than 598,000 Medicare inpatients, showing dedication to providing quality health care to vulnerable populations.
• Tending to 532,000 Medi-Cal inpatients, further cementing their role in ensuring access to care for those in need.
• Handling over six million emergency department visits, demonstrating readiness to address life-threatening medical needs around the clock.
• Delivering over 130,000 babies, signifying their role in the precious moments of new life and their commitment to maternal and child health.
• Employing more than 218,000 full-time workers, underscoring their position as one of the largest employers and economic anchors in their communities.
A NETWORK OF PURPOSE: HASC’S COLLABORATIVE APPROACH
HASC’s influence extends across various spheres, from advocating for local community initiatives to working closely with the California Hospital Association (CHA) to steer critical state and federal legislative decisions. Working in collaboration with CHA, HASC amplifies its leadership at the local level, voicing concerns regarding legislation, budget allocation, and regulatory matters. Through relationships with county boards of supervisors, city councils, chambers of commerce, local health departments, local Medi-Cal managed care plans, and other agencies, HASC ensures the collective voice of hospitals is key in shaping the region’s health care landscape.
Several entities operate under the HASC umbrella, each with a distinct focus that adds depth to the association’s overall mission:
• Communities Lifting Communities (CLC): A nonprofit affiliate, CLC embodies HASC’s commitment to holistic community well-being through reducing health disparities and promoting health for all.
• National Health Foundation (NHF): A research-driven nonprofit organization affiliated with HASC, NHF works to enhance health equity and accessibility through its recuperative care sites for unhoused individuals, addressing food insecurity and social needs.
• ReddiNet: This communications platform enables reliable and secure information
exchange among hospitals, EMS, paramedics, law enforcement, and other health care professionals. The system captures the essentials of data management for high-performing emergency response.
GRATITUDE FOR HOSPITALS: NURTURING COMMUNITIES
HASC member hospitals play a crucial role in the healthcare ecosystem. Their dedication to communities, through providing care to millions, signifies a commitment to better health, healing, compassionate, and inclusive care for all residents. Hospitals serve as pillars of strength and well-being within their regions.
The Hospital Association of Southern California’s commitment to hospitals and their communities in our region is stronger than ever. As HASC heads into its second century collaborating with member hospitals to champion equitable healthcare policies and uplift community health, its impact stretches across the Southland. With heartfelt gratitude to the member hospitals that tirelessly serve their communities, HASC will carry on its legacy of advocacy, innovation, and compassion to shape a healthier and more inclusive future for all Southern Californians.
Learn more at HASC.org.
