A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Hospital Week, to be observed from May 11 through May 17, 2025.
This is a non-binding Senate resolution acknowledging and supporting National Hospital Week (May 11–17, 2025). It places historical context around National Hospital Day (started in 1921 on Florence Nightingale’s birthday) and National Hospital Week (established in 1953) and emphasizes the vital role that hospitals play in delivering safe, high-quality health care. The resolution highlights the broad landscape of U.S. hospitals—rural and urban, teaching and non-teaching, psychiatric and VA facilities—and provides current statistics on hospital operations and employment. It also recognizes the contributions of non-clinical hospital staff who keep hospitals open around the clock. The bill concludes by urging the public to observe National Hospital Week with recognition, ceremonies, activities, and programs that demonstrate hospitals’ importance to patients and communities. As a resolution, it does not create new policy or authorize funding; rather, it signals congressional support and raises awareness.
Key Points
- 1Officially designates May 11–17, 2025 as National Hospital Week and expresses support for its goals and ideals.
- 2Recounts the historical origins: National Hospital Day began in 1921 (on Florence Nightingale’s birthday) and National Hospital Week began in 1953.
- 3Shares current context and scope, noting approximately 6,093 hospitals operate in the U.S. across diverse settings:
- 4- 1,377 critical access hospitals (serving rural areas and bringing care closer to communities),
- 5- nearly 1,700 teaching hospitals (including about 300 major teaching hospitals),
- 6- 654 non-Federal psychiatric hospitals, and
- 7- 170 VA medical centers.
- 8Highlights impact metrics, including over 34 million admitted patients in 2023, more than 3.6 million births in 2024, and employment of over 5.7 million people as of April 2025.
- 9Acknowledges the work of non-clinical hospital staff (sanitation, food service, etc.) and the 24/7 operations that keep hospitals available to those in need.