13 pages. Excerpt: "The economic recession gripping this nation calls for immediate and swift action. The ripple effects of the financial market crisis, the subsequent rise in unemployment and the loss of job-based health care coverage has impacted hospitals' ability to continue to serve their communities. This pressure, coupled with other payment pressures, is leading to a decline in hospitals' financial health at a time when demand for health care services is growing. Not only could the health of communities across the country be compromised if action is not taken now, but the economic health of those communities also could suffer. As the second-largest private-sector source of jobs ? 5 million nationwide ? hospitals play a critical part in our nation's economy. Every dollar spent by a hospital supports more than $2.00 of additional business activity in the community." [Jan. 6, 2009]