Hospital officials address fiscal concerns
By Matt Lasley, Grayson County News-Gazette, Leitchfield, Ky. | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
More than 80 people crammed into
"The largest taxpaying investment in
Edelen said, with that in mind, he and his staff decided to host 10 town hall meetings across the state to learn about the struggles facing rural healthcare providers first-hand and figure out how to make sure these providers stay open.
"If we don't watch it, we're going to lose a network of rural hospitals in
A number of healthcare officials expressed concern that, with recent changes to the way healthcare operates in the wake of the passing of the Affordable Care Act, they will not be able to focus as much on what's most important -- their patients.
Following Edelen,
"The hospital is responsible for the health of the community," Cobb said. "It's also a major player in the economic health of the community.
"Hospitals have always been stable employers in their communities. The hospital is often the healthcare hub for the community."
Cobb said, if rural hospitals close, "we lose resources for recruiting new healthcare providers and assistance to other providers."
Meriwether said the declining patient volume is likely a result of higher deductibles for health insurance plans. As a result of this, some hospitals have had lay-offs and taken other budget-cutting measures.
In regards to the manage care organizations, which manage healthcare services across the state, fees and the credentialing process for new physicians has drastically affected what care can be provided to patients, according to Meriwether.
Previously, certifying physicians took a period of only a few weeks; now, it can take several months.
In addition, the Affordable Care Act, which has been, thus far, "a positive" for TLRMC, will, in time, prove detrimental.
Before the Affordable Care Act, 4,400 people were uninsured, now 3,000 of those people have coverage. Additionally, TLRMC has seen a five percent reduction in write-offs -- which leads to the hospital receiving payment for services it originally offered for free.
However, Meriwether said, someone will, eventually, have to pay for the insured. Over the next eight years, rural hospitals expect to see a significant reduction in
"Hospitals will close -- ours may be one of them," Meriwether said.
If TLRMC were to close, Meriwether said, 300 people would lose their jobs, resulting in a loss of
"There are a lot of lives saved in our emergency room," said Portman, whose hospital is located close to the
Another issue BMH has dealt with has been that of the influx of new patients, who now have
Portman said, the biggest issue with the recent changes, however, has been the poor communication regarding how hospitals must now operate.
Many items are now regulated that weren't before, and hospitals may not find out about things they need approval for until they receive a denial, she said.
"You need people to keep you compliant," Portman said. "Struggles for rural health are many."
The results of Edelen's town hall meetings will be compiled into a report, tentatively scheduled to be released this fall.
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