Uniting to improve health outcomes in the Heartland

Heartland Whole Health Institute’s Key Takeaways from the Northwest Arkansas Health Care Vision 2030 report

In 2018, the Northwest Arkansas Council worked with the health care consulting firm Tripp Umbach to publish “Northwest Arkansas Health Care: Assessment, Economic Impact, and Vision for the Future,” which assessed the region’s $2.7 billion health care sector and laid the groundwork for future growth.

Five years later, Tripp Umbach was invited by the Northwest Arkansas Council, Heartland Whole Health Institute, and key regional stakeholders to update this landmark report. Recently released, the updated article focuses on changes in the health care economy from 2018 to 2023 and outlines a vision and roadmap for regional growth by 2030. Building on the 2018 strategies, the updated report includes four key takeaways aligned with the Institute's efforts:??

1. A shift to value-based payment is critical.? Shifting from a fee-for-service model to a value-based care system offers a significant opportunity to improve patient care and health outcomes in Northwest Arkansas. The Institute and the Council will play a pivotal role in advancing this work by engaging employers, payors, and providers to pilot innovative programs that reward high-quality, cost-effective, whole-person care.?

This will demand shifting the focus away from a reactive sick care model toward one that emphasizes chronic disease prevention and reversal while addressing the behavioral, social, and structural barriers to health.?

Additionally, advocating for state policies that fairly compensate health systems willing to invest in the infrastructure needed to build an advanced team-based, technology-enabled care delivery model will help advance this agenda. Payment reform initiatives across multiple stakeholder groups will be required to bring compensation in Arkansas up to par with national levels. Doing so will improve access to top-quality care across the state.?

2. Continued workforce shortages must be addressed.?

Simply put, we need more health care workers. Northwest Arkansas is projected to reach a population of 1 million by 2050, rapidly increasing the demand on local health care providers like Washington Regional, Mercy, and Northwest Health. The region currently faces a critical shortage of health care workers, with over 1,200 open positions for physicians, nurses, and technicians, and an additional 1,500 vacant allied health support roles.?

In response, Heartland Whole Health Institute will collaborate with the NWA Council to spearhead a regional health care workforce task force. Goals for this task force include improving the quality of value-based care, increasing the supply and retention of health care workers, and expanding Graduate Medical Education.?

The Institute will also conduct a health care workforce needs assessment to guide action plans. These plans will explore initiatives such as establishing a Center for Simulation and Health Care Excellence, aiming to provide regional support through shared grant-writing services, enhanced care quality, and increased clinical practicum capacity via simulated training with leading experts.

3. Northwest Arkansas needs a Level 1 trauma center.?

As Northwest Arkansas prepares for significant population growth, establishing a Level I trauma hospital becomes essential. With the closest Level 1 trauma center located over 200 miles from Northwest Arkansas, such a center would provide immediate, specialized care for severe injuries, improving health outcomes and public safety in a rapidly growing region.??

Beyond the health benefits, a Level I trauma hospital would boost the local economy by attracting top medical professionals, drawing patients from surrounding areas, and fostering innovation. It would also position the region as a health care hub, supporting research and education. This facility would not only meet the growing health care needs but also enhance the quality of life and economic vitality of Northwest Arkansas, especially as the area becomes a popular destination for outdoor activities.?

4. Research is essential to moving us forward.?

Compared to peer states, Arkansas research dollars fall considerably short of the resources needed to drive meaningful medical research in the state. The Northwest Arkansas Council has the opportunity to unite regional, state, and federal entities in a collaborative economic development plan. By aligning key stakeholders, such as the University of Arkansas, UAMS Northwest, Arkansas Children’s Research Institute, and others, the region can strengthen its health care research and innovation ecosystem.?

?The Council can help identify areas for growth and improvement, focusing on underfunded or emerging fields, and drive strategic research initiatives. With a focus on securing federal funding, these efforts could position the region as a hub for health care innovation, creating new opportunities for jobs, startups, and investment that benefit the community and its future.

Together, we can build a compassionate, efficient, and sustainable health care system in Northwest Arkansas, where innovative solutions create better health outcomes and make health care more accessible for all.