Texas Association of Community Health Centers (TACHC)’s Post

A couple of my recent posts have been about General Catalyst’s HATCo ambitions and Risant Health. As other’s have noted, HATCo is going to find it very hard to acquire a non-profit health system (on top of *everything* else, there will be significant regulatory scrutiny). However, there are not so many for-profit health systems that are sized right for HATCo to acquire outright. (Let me know in the comments if you know of entire for-profit systems you think might be the right size, whether or not they are “for sale”). Meanwhile, I had been thinking that one way would be to buy a hospital or two or three from one of the large for-profit chains. Here is an example of that happening, and likely the kind of thing we might see from HATCo. https://lnkd.in/eTXpDWyc

We are so excited to share some amazing news about Trenton Memorial Hospital! 1. New Emergency Department - Hospital staff recently toured the new Emergency Department plans, and it sounds incredible. The space is practically doubling in size, which will make a huge difference in how we can care for patients. Imagine bigger treatment rooms, dedicated areas for bariatric and mental health needs, and potentially even a pediatric room! This expansion is exactly what our community needs to ensure the best possible care for everyone. 2. We're also excited about LUMEO, the new health information system that's coming! This system will connect people and healthcare providers across the entire region. Imagine the benefits: improved quality and consistency of care, fewer errors and duplicated tests, and most importantly, more time for staff to focus on what matters most – our patients! Building a state-of-the-art Emergency Department and implementing LUMEO, the new health information system, are crucial for our community's healthcare, but they come with a hefty price tag. Over $1.7 million is needed to fill the gap to bridge the gap between operational funding and medical equipment needs. Additionally, LUMEO alone requires a significant investment of $6 million for TMH. The Trenton Memorial Hospital Foundation needs your help! Every donation, big or small, brings us closer to making these improvements a reality. Visit tmhfoundation.com for more information.

Healthcare lawyers: A troubling article about the impact on the delivery of healthcare by private equity-funded companies using the "production model"---- and recent calls to revive CPOM ("corporate practice of medicine") bans. Worth following this trend. (See also yesterday's comprehensive Atlantic article: "What FInancial Engineering Does to Hospitals". Link in the comments.) "In a value-based -- or more specifically, a capitated payment model -- hospice providers get a flat fee in order to tailor patients' care to their needs. Whatever money is not spent on patient care they keep as a profit, she explained. Using this model, nonprofit hospices provide additional services such as music therapy and after-hours visits. For-profit hospices, in contrast, offer only minimal services and fewer visits. Appelbaum wrote a recent report on this problem. The net margin for nonprofit hospices was on average 3-4% and no higher than 6%, but among for-profit groups, that figure was closer to 19%, she noted." #healthcare #forprofit #privateequity

Just when you think you have heard it all along comes Priority Health's readmission payment policy. If a patient with a first admission is readmitted within 30 days to any hospital for a related reason or complication, only one admission is paid. Now that's maybe slightly reasonable but the kicker is that the one admission that is paid is the higher weighted DRG of the two. What???? Patient has major surgery as inpatient at Hospital A. A week later patient is admitted inpatient to Hospital B, which is not in the same health system as A and has no common affiliations for cellulitis at the iv site with systemic symptoms. The patient is treated and discharged after 4 days. What happens? Priority Health pays hospital A their full DRG since it is higher weighted and hospital B gets nothing. Does Priority expect B to bill A for the cost of that second admission? Charge the patient since they chose not to return to A? Just write it off as a charitable contribution to Priority Health's profit margin? It just makes no sense... https://lnkd.in/ghAErqNp

Transformative Healthcare Stories: The Martinez Family's Journey In 2021, the Martinez family from Honduras, embarked on a transformative healthcare journey in the wake of the Covid Pandemic. Their story, a poignant blend of challenges and community support, underscores the profound impact of collaborative healthcare initiatives. The Martinez children's frequent complaints of pain brought them to Perkasie, seeking medical and dental care. Compounded by cultural beliefs and a lack of experience, their mother navigated uncertainties surrounding baby teeth issues, trusting they would naturally resolve. A beacon of hope emerged as the community, in collaboration with Dr. Alice Moore and Dr. Lorna Petersen's dental office in Perkasie, rallied to assess and address the family's extensive dental needs. The children received personalized care, including extractions, root canals, and restorations. The middle child, facing severe infections, required specialized care. A call to St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children facilitated comprehensive treatment under general anesthesia, totaling over $35,000.00 in donated services. A testament to the impactful collaboration between healthcare providers. Beyond the dental chair, the Martinez family embraced education and nutrition sessions integral to their ongoing care. It's not just about treating symptoms but empowering families for holistic well-being. Today, the Martinez family stands resilient, their smiles a testament to the transformative power of collaborative healthcare. Routine dental care, education, and community support continue to shape their journey towards lasting well-being. The Martinez family's journey exemplifies the collective impact of healthcare professionals, community initiatives, and collaborative efforts. It's a story of resilience, compassion, and the tangible difference we can make when we come together. As we reflect on stories like the Martinez family's, let it serve as a reminder that transformative healthcare extends beyond treatment—it's about building a supportive ecosystem that fosters healing, resilience, and a healthier community. It's a testament of what Ann Silverman Community health Clinic can do in partnerships with other organizations and private ownerships. #HealthcareImpact #CommunityCare #TransformativeHealthcare #CollaborativeHealth #MartinezFamilyJourney

A ten-year vision for #communitypharmacy report conducted by The King's Fund & Nuffield Trust has been published today – take a look to see what they propose the government & NHS England should do to properly support the sector https://lnkd.in/e7EYVC-E

In the last few days, a lot of people have asked me "How do I get involved?" Advocacy is a large arena and even getting started in affecting change can be daunting. I highly recommend checking out the #SCAI article published last year in #JSCAI as a primer. While it's directed towards interventional cardiologists, much of it is directly applicable the entire House of Medicine. Others have asked me, "why are you doing this?" To them I say, it's not just me. We all need to take up the mantle to affect change. There is a popular saying (the origin of which is in question) that goes "If you're not at the table, you're probably on the menu." Please get involved, donate to your society's PAC, whether it's #SCAIPAC, #HeartPAC, #SCCT, #PAMPAC (in Pennsylvania). They are your voice at the table. Without them, I guarantee we'll never get off the menu. #AdvocacyMatters https://lnkd.in/eG3Ru5Ev

How can a small nonprofit patient association, equipped with donated medical products, activate better systemic access to medications and higher quality of care? The story of DiabetesLATAM reveals that it can be done by empowering a community of patients to approach their condition, and their healthcare providers, with a vision for better care. Read it here: https://lnkd.in/eDVrKD9Q

Why Should Clinicians Call the AFE Hotline? 1-307-END-AFES 📞👇 Consider us part of your rapid response team! Our HIPAA compliant hotline quickly connects healthcare providers with the AFE Foundation to offer: 🚨 Crisis support for the patient, their family or your team. 🔬 Guidance on how to collect AFE specimens for the AFE Biorepository. 💡 Expertise to aid with the treatment and management of an AFE patient. #AmnioticFluidEmbolism #AFEFoundation #Nonprofit #NonprofitOrganization #CrisisResponse #MedicalCrisis #MedicalEducation #MedicalResearch #MedicalResources #Obstetrics #ObstetricsandGynecology #OBGYN #NursePractitioner #ERNurse #CriticalCare #CriticalCareMedicine #CriticalCareNurse

Public and non-profit hospitals are capitalizing on the 340B Drug Pricing Program to broaden essential services and boost patient care! 🏥 See how these hospitals channel 340B savings into critical health services, community support programs, and better patient outcomes. It’s a transformative benefit for underserved populations! https://lnkd.in/dyGF3NG5