|
Chances are that most non-profit hospital boards will be called upon to evaluate a merger/acquisition proposal at some point in the very near future. Healthcare reform is prompting hospitals across the country to reevaluate their market strength and competitive posture given the new regulatory dynamic. Alignment with a complementary provider—whether as partner, seller, or buyer—may be the favored strategic option. Whether, and under what terms and conditions, the provider pursues such alignment ultimately should be the board’s decision. More Info
|
|
|
|
A new model of community benefit programming is emerging among leading-edge non-profit hospitals—one that is closely aligned with national health reform goals. It moves beyond the historical, defensive-minded strategy of tallying up small-scale, often unconnected services and activities, many of which have limited relevance to charitable purpose, and most of which do not yield measurable impacts.
More Info
|
|
|
|
The Governance Institute sat down with Barry Silbaugh, M.D., CEO of the American College of Physician Executives, to discuss physician alignment issues and important steps for hospitals and health systems to take in moving towards clinical integration. More Info
|
|
|
|
Boards of single hospitals and smaller health systems across the country are facing the tough decision of whether to remain independent or merge into a larger health system. Most board members are painfully aware that this decision is, perhaps, the most profound decision a board can make, and it requires the board to perform its fiduciary duty at the highest level. This article discusses steps boards should take in making this choice and things to consider before merging. More Info
|
|
|
|
So much of the conversation surrounding healthcare reform has been about money that organizations may not emphasize enough the importance of improving quality outcomes and care delivery. Consumers and physicians want hospitals to take the right steps to provide the best quality and outcomes. More Info
|
|
|
|
On July 21, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank”). So, what does this have to do with non-profit governance, or for that matter, healthcare? In a word: plenty. More Info
|
|
|
|
Bundled payment is the process of paying a single, inclusive rate for a patient’s stay and services related to a specified procedure. This can include hospital, physician, and post-acute services in the defined “bundle.” Currently, CMS is engaged in a bundled payment demonstration project with five hospitals in the South and West, called Acute Care Episodes (ACE). Commercial payers are also showing interest in contracting for hospital and physician services using a bundled payment methodology. More Info
|
|
|
|
At a conference in 1906, African-American author W.E.B. Dubois pointed out that the health status of his people was poorer than that of whites, especially in terms of pneumonia and infant mortality. Over a hundred years later, racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare are still an issue. But they have taken on even greater importance, due to changing demographics, telling research findings, and new laws that make disparities a priority. More Info
|
|
|
|
A board member’s job description sounds so simple: provide governance (oversight) and strategic direction for the organization. Oh, and stay out of operations. Needless to say, a large part of the oversight function of a board relates to oversight of operational performance. But what about the second part of that simple job description—setting strategic direction or making strategic decisions? This is an area that often becomes murky. More Info
|
|
|
|
Three things are clear: 1) the federal government wants to simultaneously increase healthcare coverage, limit cost increases, and improve quality; 2) greater integration among physicians and between physicians and hospitals is in everyone’s future; and 3) accountable care organizations show promise, but widespread adoption will encounter a number of obstacles. More Info
|
|
|