Profile: Hospital Association of Southern California

The Hospital Association of Southern California (HASC) was established in 1923 as the first hospital association west of the Mississippi. Over the years, HASC has profoundly influenced the way health care is organized, financed and delivered.
HASC now includes three distinct organizations:

• HASC consists of more than 170 hospitals (public, private, not-for-profit and for-profit). The region covers six counties: Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara and Ventura.
• AllHealth, a wholly owned for-profit subsidiary, specializes in business and consulting services, quality improvement, medical staff and credentialing, JCAHO preparation, and hospital safety and security. It is a growing arm of HASC that provides dividends to offset member dues.
• The National Health Foundation is an independent 501 (c)(3) charitable affiliate whose mission is to improve and enhance the health of the underserved by developing and supporting innovative programs that can become independently viable, systemic solutions to gaps in healthcare access and delivery and have potential to be replicated nationally. NHF receives grants from private foundation and the government to carry out its work.

HASC offers several key benefits:

• Resolving Issues: HASC brings together hospital executives to develop consensus positions and resolve issues.
• Data/Research: Through numerous technical services, including issue advisories, data collection and analysis, HASC improves quality and financial performance.
• Communication: Information services, including staff consultation, weekly news publications, area meetings, issue analyses and other services keep members aware of the latest issues.
• Education: HASC's flagship event, the annual Leadership Summit, offers continuing education seminars and networking opportunities over a two-day period in one location. In addition to the Summit, full and half day education sessions are offered on breaking issues.
• Targeting Member Services: HASC brings staff expertise and services closer to members through four regional offices -- Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside/San Bernardino and Santa Barbara/Ventura.

Our Mission: To serve the political, economic, informational and educational needs of hospitals and integrated delivery systems and improve the quality and accessibility of healthcare services, thereby improving the health status of communities.
Our Vision: To be Southern California's most respected and effective hospital association. We will accomplish our mission and vision by:

• Focusing on the many issues that hospitals and integrated delivery systems have in common while continuing to provide specific services unique to member segments.
• Creating common vision, unity and consensus on public policy and health reform among members and the broader healthcare community.
• Increasing the health status of communities by advocating improvements in coverage, access, wellness, disease prevention and efficient delivery of services.
• Helping members through technical services, information and education in their quest to be high-quality, low-cost, responsive and responsible healthcare providers.