Page 32 - Modern Healthcare (January 2020)

Too much of
healthcare costs
too, are for the most part paid on
the cost. And often they wouldn’t be
FFS models, thus incentivizing them
the most effective choice.
is out of providers’ control
on volume instead of quality and
America is at a turning point in
The article “MedPAC recommends
efficiency. Even under ACO models,
healthcare. Are we going to continue
data suggest there is minimal impact
with open access or are we moving
3.3% raise to hospitals in 2021”
on total costs.
(ModernHealthcare.com, Jan. 16)
to a socialized model that offers
Second is patient autonomy. We
healthcare to all? I seriously don’t
noted: “The Medicare Payment
think most Americans are ready for
Advisory Commission voted to
can educate, counsel and follow
European and Canadian models of
up with home care, but patients
recommend increasing payments
healthcare in which a higher power
ultimately choose how they want
to hospitals, but it wants them to costs of care is flawed. Physicians, access to these meds, regardless of
rely less on fee-for-service and boost to manage their health. Despite decides who gets care and when.
quality and efficiency.” aggressive initiatives, we continue to Denise Adema
The concept of hospitals being experience epidemic obesity, Type Fort Myers, Fla.
accountable (penalized) for the 2 diabetes and smoking-related
entire cost of patient care is ludicrous conditions associated with lifestyle
for a variety of reasons. choices. We don’t live in a police
First, absent hospital-owned state, and cannot legislate behaviors. A focus on prevention
physician practices with very tight Finally, there’s the cost of drugs. is imperative
parameters on practice patterns, the With the unbridled advertising of the to achieve ‘wellness equity’
assumption that hospitals have any latest, greatest med on every single
measurable control over outpatient TV program, patients are demanding Regarding the Breaking Bias
column “Racism in the U.S. remains
pervasive; it must be recognized and
confronted” (Jan. 20, p. 24), I applaud
the sentiment and the effort; this
Send nominations must be a priority.
Investing in being more proactive
for 50 Most in prevention is key to what I call
Influential Clinical “wellness equity.” The article warns
Executives “we will continue to see black
women dying from pregnancy-
related complications at three to four
Modern Healthcare is accepting nominations for its annual ranking
times the rate of white women, and
of the 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives. The program, previously
black infants dying before their first
the 50 Most Influential Physician Executives and Leaders, is now open
birthday at more than twice the rate
to all licensed clinicians with an executive title of senior vice president of white infants.”
or higher. But there is so much more to the
Judging will focus on actions the nominee took in the past year to stats and information such as the
help the organization achieve or exceed financial, operational and fact that black women, on average,
clinical goals; steps the nominee has taken to establish or contribute start prenatal care later than whites.
to a culture of innovation and transformation (local and national levels); Providing such information to
and examples of how the nominee has addressed the Quadruple Aim the population at risk as well as a
of improved community health, a better patient experience, lower costs focused effort to offer prenatal care
and reduced clinician burnout. will provide a better chance for
The deadline for nominations is March 2. A ballot with 150 names will full-term and healthy-weight births.
be posted for voting shortly after the nomination period closes. Modern Minorities should not accept at face
Healthcare’s senior editors will make final determinations on the ballot. value the despairing information
Judging for the final ranking of the 50 Most Influential will be based on and know the whole story of how
readers’ votes as well as input from Modern Healthcare’s senior editors. not to become a statistic. You are not
For more information on required materials and to submit a dying because your skin is black.
Why then?
nomination, please visit ModernHealthcare.com/50Most.
Nick Orr
Peoria, Ill.
28 Modern Healthcare | January 27, 2020