February 2011
Network Network is Monitoring — and Preparing for — Uncertain Future in Health Care Reform..........................1 “E-zine” Version of Network Pulse will Deliver More Information in More Timely Ways...........................................2 “Home Town Guy” Observes 40th Year of Service at Miners Campus..........................2 S.T.A.R. Program’s Goals: Healthier Staff and New Health Coaches.......3 New Ambulances Carry St. Luke’s Colors, Star......................................4 A Day in the Life..............................................5 Network’s CIO Sets High Goals for Electronic Medical Records, Technology.........6 Music Therapy Aids “Client-directed Care”.....................................8 New HealthStar Vans will Help to Serve the Community Better.......................9 Cardiology Chief Wants to Lead Innovation and Improvement at St. Luke’s.......................10 Dr. Stephen Olenchock Introduces miniAVR Surgery to Rave Reviews................11
Network is monitoring – and preparing for – uncertain future in health care reform . merican hospitals — including St. Luke’s Hospital & Health Network — are preparing . A for changes in national health care policy and regulations that will affect hospital finances, admissions and the kind of care that is provided. It isn’t certain, of course, that all, or any, . of the provisions in The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 will be enacted or even repealed. But in the view of experts such as Jane George, the Network’s assistant . vice president for government relations, hospitals cannot wait for the political debate to be settled to take action. Many components of the act already have been implemented, and others will start this year. For instance, effective Jan. 1, Medicare now pays for preventative services. “That means that we may be seeing more patients who have not had preventative tests in many years and who may need additional care,” Jane says. The U.S. House of Representatives voted to repeal the law on Jan. 19. However, Democrats still control the Senate, and President Obama says he would veto a repeal measure if it reached his desk, so complete repeal is unlikely. “But, what may happen is that funding for different programs . or conditions will be cut,” Jane says. That could affect the reimbursements St. Luke’s receives for various programs. In addition, certain taxes included in the bill could be repealed, such as the medical devices tax. Jane says instead of repealing . the law, legislators will try to overturn it piece by piece. A committee led by Joel Fagerstrom, chief operating officer, . is monitoring developments and preparing the Network’s responses. The group will address strategies regarding coverage expansions, reimbursement adjustments, quality, delivery system changes, hospital and physician alignment and workforce issues. Watch for regular updates on how health care reform is affecting the Network.
Jane George, assistant vice president for Government Relations
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