NHRMC partnership proposals: What are the biggest impacts?

Jun. 13--WILMINGTON -- Earlier this year, the current frontrunners vying to partner with New Hanover Regional Medical Center explained in detail how they would help the county-owned health system ensure it can provide quality health care for years to come.

Combined, Atrium, Duke and Novant submitted 1,000 pages of detailed proposals and data. But what in each proposal would have the biggest impact -- not just for NHRMC, but for the people it serves?

In one-hour public presentations last week, the health systems provided some clues on which parts they view as transformative. The presentations also highlighted what all three have in common.

The health systems, all North Carolina-based nonprofits, made their pitches at three separate video conference meetings of the Partnership Advisory Group (PAG), the committee exploring possible partnerships for county-owned NHRMC.

(The public portion of each meeting was shown live on NHCTV and can be viewed at nhrmcfuture.org/partnership-advisory-group in the Meeting Minutes and Documents section.)

-- all bring big money to the table, capital NHRMC says it needs to be able to meet the health-care demands of a rapidly growing region. The county-owned health system receives no local tax dollars.

-- all three would expand local specialty care;

-- all three are large and say they can offer better value through scale;

-- all say behavioral health is a critical service and would make it an integral part of a partnership.

-- all focused on health equity -- the idea that all people should have a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible.

-- all say they are committed to the community outreach that can help achieve health equity;

-- a partnership with any of the three would make NHRMC part of a large health-care network.

Though the presentations covered many similar areas, each chose to emphasize different parts.

After watching the presentations, these are the qualities/initiatives that stood out for each and seemed most likely to have the biggest impact on NHRMC and the larger community. We also asked each health system what parts of their proposals they see as having the biggest impact here:

ATRIUM HEALTH

Biggest impacts on community

Overall expanded access to local specialty care.

Expanded/enhanced services at the Zimmer Cancer Center, including association with Atrium's world-renowned Levine Cancer Institute in Charlotte.

Pediatric care from the state's largest children's health network.

Access to Atrium's innovative Musculoskeletal Institute, a 200-physician group of orthopedic, sports medicine and spine specialists.

Plans to build an innovative behavioral health center in Wilmington, with drug and alcohol addiction treatment programs.

Expansion of urgent care and other ambulatory clinics.

Biggest impacts on NHRMC

Already associated with NHRMC with supply-chain partnership and physicians network.

As part of the largest health-care system in the state, NHRMC will benefit from buying power, access to capital and value achieved through scale.

Atrium's size means reduced operating risk, debt costs for NHRMC

Atrium's view

We are known for elevating and keeping care local through expanded care locations and increased specialty services in every partnership we enter.

We have a proven track record of successful partnerships, exceeding the commitments we make.

Our current initiative with Wake Forest University and Wake Forest Baptist Health will be the largest residency and fellowship program in the state.

Our $2 billion in community benefit in 2018 was double that of any other finalist, with $339 million in free and uncompensated charity care.

We're willing to be held accountable. Unlike the other proposals, in the unlikely event the community decides we aren't meeting its needs, the agreement would allow the county to make a change.

DUKE HEALTH

Biggest impacts on community

Will develop more services in Wilmington to keep care local. Currently, 20 percent of patients leave the area to receive specialized care.

More access to the kind of complex and specialized care Duke is known for.

Access to the academic and research center Duke would develop here.

Duke is very involved in non-medical community outreach, such as food insecurity, housing and homelessness

Biggest impacts on NHRMC

Duke's prestige and reputation.

Academic and research center to be developed here.

Duke's view

Duke Health will support NHRMC in expanding complex and specialized care.

Duke is uniquely positioned to support NHRMC in expanding local health-care services that residents often have to go elsewhere for.

Expanded local training and education programs backed by Duke will give NHRMC a pipeline of physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses and other caregivers needed to meet the demand of the area's rapidly growing population.

Duke will help NHRMC build on existing community programs.

With help of Duke's data analytics and community-health expertise, NHRMC will be able to deploy a coordinated and funded program to address social determinants of health and to advance health-care equity.

A solid economic foundation is central to improving overall health. Duke is proud of its globally recognized brand and resulting ability to attract funding that drives economic development and sustainability in the Research Triangle area. Together, we will achieve the same outcome in Southeastern North Carolina. The result will be stable wage growth; expanded opportunity; more capacity for investment in public services such as education and emergency services, and infrastructure such as roads; and increased employment opportunities and reduced poverty. Each supports a healthier, more vibrant population that lives longer and more enjoyable lives.

NOVANT HEALTH

Biggest impacts on community

Brunswick, New Hanover and Pender counties would be part of the same health and hospital system.

Expanded UNC Health and UNC School of Medicine presence.

Expanded medical education and research infrastructure.

Partnership with UNCW, CFCC, UNC dental, pharmacy and allied-health programs on new health-sciences campus.

Work with local clinicians to improve health-care access for children.

More pediatric subspecialties.

Per Novant's policy, no one earning 300 percent or less of the federal poverty level receives a bill from Novant.

Biggest impacts on NHRMC

Expanded UNC School of Medicine branch campus.

Enhanced academic excellence in health sciences, research and joint degrees.

Bolstered research capabilities.

NHRMC would be a regional pediatric referral center.

Technology, analytics leveraged for better health outcomes.

Novant's view

Novant Health is committed to maintaining local governance and local decision making. In our experience, members of the local community are best positioned to serve as trustees because they understand the unique needs of the market.

Retaining high-performing and high-potential employees through career advancement opportunities is a paramount focus for Novant Health. The proposed partnership will not negatively affect NHRMC employment levels; in fact, job growth here will be a priority.

We provide multiple ways for physicians to partner with Atrium.

Diversity inclusion is one of Atrium's core values. We have developed a successful and repeatable model that has been demonstrated to improve outcomes, build strong community coalitions, and generate financial benefits.

Novant is offering $2 billion to New Hanover County plus 100 percent funding of NRMC's capital needs.

Net cash will be invested in the general community, not just the hospital.

Recognizing the community's desire to have an academic program, UNC Health and UNC School of Medicine will be an integral part of Novant's partnership.

Reporter Scott Nunn can be reached at 910-343-2272 or [email protected].

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