Last month, regular H&HN Daily contributor Ian Morrison wrote a compelling column (aren't they all?) on reinventing rural health. In it he discussed the multitude of challenges facing rural providers — staff shortages, payer mix, capital and IT gaps, and more. The column also spends a fair amount of time discussing the hurdles rural providers will face as we move to a value-based, accountable care system.
In a bit of an understatement, he wrote: "Rural health is tough to manage, from both a policy and practical point of view." But he's then quick to note: "As we redesign the overall health care delivery system from volume to value, we raise the question of what happens to rural health care. While the challenges described here are real, in my travels I detect a growing openness to reinvention of rural health among community leaders and hospital CEOs across the country."
I couldn't agree more. I'm always amazed by the can-do attitude exhibited by rural health care leaders. They approach the hurdles in front of them head on, knowing that in so many cases they are the lifelines of their communities. That's part of the reason that I'm eager to board a plane Saturday afternoon and head to Phoenix for the 25th Annual Rural Health Care Leadership Conference. Year in, year out, it is one of my favorite meetings (and I'm not just saying that because it's our meeting).
For the full article please go here.
Showing posts with label health care law. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health care law. Show all posts
Thursday, February 2, 2012
States Under Pressure As Health Law Deadlines Approach from Kaiser Health News
The health law's biggest changes don't take effect until 2014, when states and insurers must be ready to begin signing up an estimated 32 million people in Medicaid and private insurance. But a successful rollout in two years hinges on critical decisions that states must make – and take quick action on – this year.
It will be difficult for many states to meet fast-approaching deadlines, and some may not make it, says Brett Graham, a managing director at Leavitt Partners, a consulting firm working with states on implementation of the law.
Time is short, and states are missing key pieces of how-to guidance from the federal government about everything from what various insurance exchange options will look like to which benefits must be included in health plans, he says. To make matters worse, states are competing for a limited pool of information technology vendors to help them get started.
"It's a pressure cooker," said Graham. States are "in a position where they have to act with imperfect information."
One of the most pressing tasks for states this year has to do with the creation of exchanges, through which individuals and small businesses can buy insurance starting in 2014.
For the full article please go here.
It will be difficult for many states to meet fast-approaching deadlines, and some may not make it, says Brett Graham, a managing director at Leavitt Partners, a consulting firm working with states on implementation of the law.
Time is short, and states are missing key pieces of how-to guidance from the federal government about everything from what various insurance exchange options will look like to which benefits must be included in health plans, he says. To make matters worse, states are competing for a limited pool of information technology vendors to help them get started.
"It's a pressure cooker," said Graham. States are "in a position where they have to act with imperfect information."
One of the most pressing tasks for states this year has to do with the creation of exchanges, through which individuals and small businesses can buy insurance starting in 2014.
For the full article please go here.
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