Whitehouse, Barrasso Pass Bipartisan Resolution Marking National Hospital Week

Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and John Barrasso (R-WY) today announced that the Senate has designated May 10 through May 16, 2026 as National Hospital Week. The resolution, which passed unanimously through the Senate, honors the role that hospital staff and hospitals play in the delivery of health care to patients. It recognizes hospital workers' dedication and expertise in advancing patient care and community health in rural hospitals, teaching hospitals, psychiatric facilities, and VA medical centers across the United States.

"National Hospital Week is an opportunity to cheer our nation's tireless hospital workers who deliver heroic care during some of the most challenging moments in the lives of patients and their families," said Whitehouse. "I will continue to advocate in the Senate on behalf of doctors, nurses, and staff in Rhode Island hospitals and push for a health care system that delivers affordable, high-quality care."

"Doctors, nurses, and hospital staff in Wyoming and across the country provide critical care and comfort to patients when it matters most. National Hospital Week gives us the opportunity to recognize the valuable service of these incredible frontline workers," said Barrasso. "In Wyoming, we rely on these professionals every day for their dedication to the health and well-being of our communities."

Last year, hospitals employed nearly 5.8 million people, including nurses, physicians, allied health professionals, sanitation and food service workers, and many other essential workers. These health care professionals deliver care to more than 35.6 million patients annually in nearly 6,100 hospitals, where workers support over 3.6 million births while ensuring hospitals remain operational around the clock. According to the Hospital Association of Rhode Island, hospitals in the state employ over 35,000 workers.

"The AHA appreciates Senators Barrasso and Whitehouse for leading this bipartisan Senate resolution supporting National Hospital Week," said Lisa Kidder Hrobsky, Senior Vice president of Federal Relations, Advocacy, and Political Affairs at the American Hospital Association. "The hospital field is proud to be recognized for the critical role they serve in providing essential, around-the-clock patient care in communities across America."

"During National Hospital Week, we thank our dedicated hospital workforce-those on the front lines and behind the scenes-whose expertise and compassion make high-quality care possible every day. Their resilience ensures that patients and families receive high-quality care when they need it most and we are deeply grateful for their service" said Sarah Frost, Chief of Hospital Operations, Brown University Health and president of Rhode Island Hospital and Hasbro Children's. "We also thank the U.S. Senate, including Senators Sheldon Whitehouse and John Barrasso, for introducing this resolution recognizing National Hospital Week. At the same time, sustaining this level of care requires a strong and stable healthcare system. As we celebrate our caregivers, we must also reaffirm our commitment to policies that ensure hospitals can continue to serve their communities for generations to come."

"Hospitals are the backbone of our healthcare system, ready 24/7/365 to care for our friends, families and communities in times of need. This National Hospital Week, we extend our appreciation to the nation's hospitals, health systems, and most importantly, the remarkable people who power them," said Michael Sroczynski, President of the Hospital Association of Rhode Island. "The Hospital Association of Rhode Island commends Senators Whitehouse and Barrasso for their resolution recognizing the essential, demanding and significant work of hospitals and their dedicated teams in caring for patients."

"At Care New England, National Hospital Week is a reminder of what makes this work matter: the nurses, physicians, and staff who show up every single day for the people of Rhode Island. Our team supports patients through their most vulnerable moments and keeps our communities healthy around the clock," said Michael Wagner, MD, President & CEO, Care New England Health System. "We are grateful to Senators Whitehouse and Barrasso for recognizing what we see every day: that hospital workers are the foundation of a healthy society."

The full text of the resolution is available here.