Hospitals want profits without competing for them on quality and costs
Ann Kempski
Advising health care organizations dedicated to better outcomes and more affordable, equitable systems for financing and providing care
The North Carolina Certificate-of-Need (#CON) law continues to be weaponized by big incumbents. Asheville-based Mission Health/HCA , owned by for-profit HCA, who already controls 72% of the Asheville market, is appealing a NCDHHS #CON decision to allow Advent Health to enter the market to provide inpatient care.
Mission Health/HCA continues to behave like a monopolist, and the people of Western NC have few other options for care. Mission's commitment to quality and safety appears weak, as seen in 2024 when after a CMS inspection it was declared to pose "immediate jeopardy" to patient safety.
Now Mission/HCA appears to be dismantling an effective #medication reconciliation program that reviews patients' medications to prevent medication errors and dangerous drug interactions. Medication errors can be lethal. Busy nurses and physicians need the support of pharmacists and specialized staff dedicated to identifying these risks. The important program has been plagued by turnover, a whistleblower has been fired, and fewer #pharmacists are on the shrinking team that remains. Insiders says errors have increased.
When hospital administrators know they are the only game in town, it's up to their board of directors and the staff who work there to look out for patients and the community. Sadly, few hospitals have local boards anymore. Unfortunately, as seen at Mission, staff are punished for speaking up and they have few alternative places to work in the community if they leave. #CON laws are also being used by hospitals to drive independent physician practices out of many markets. Hospitals have the high prices and profits, and lawyers and lobbyists to litigate and defeat competition from physicians and other ambulatory care.
Andrew Jones Grace Vitaglione Katherine (Katie) Herring Capps Brian Miller Chris Deacon Carolina Public Press The Leapfrog Group KFF Kerry Willis MD Leah Binder
Chief Medical Officer @ Access Pediatric | Telemedicine
1 个月You know what? In Pediatric sub specialties, more than 80% of the market is controlled by hospital on practices. The secret is nobody’s talking about it.
Health policy
1 个月it is no small task for someone - state or community level - to pull all of the data together including stitching over the missing parts. if we are serious about transparency it needs a lot more resources and attention to these purposes.
Growth-Focused Sales & Digital Transformation Leader with a Strong Record of Success in Telecom | Transitioning to HealthTech | Aiming to Align Technology Solutions with Healthcare Policy Needs & Patient Impact
1 个月And exactly quality and costs should be among the top criteria for the expansion award because they are table stakes in a competitive environment. I read the articles you linked and am appalled by some of the statements!
CEO and President of Healthcare Solutions
1 个月It also gives these entities incredible political leverage and influence as they are the only game in town. In our State anytime any legislation or regulation is advanced to protect patient rights that are perceived as being unfavorable to the dominant health systems they threaten to limit services and access in the markets they control.