Local hospitals ready for Medicare changes

On March 23, 2010, President Barack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law, 'to provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending ...”

Regardless of your political persuasions, slowing the growth of health care spending is essential. And in recent years, health care spending has slowed significantly; some credit the recession in part, others point to the ACA.

One reason is the growing number of hospitals aspiring to provide the Institutes for Healthcare Improvement's Triple Aim, which is a framework 'aimed” at optimizing performance. It encourages hospitals to pursue three targets: better access, low-cost and high quality health care.

The movement has gained momentum over time and recently, it's picked up a lot of steam. Earlier this year the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services upped its game. By the end of 2016, 30 percent of the traditional fee-for-service Medicare payments will be tied to quality or value metrics. This number increases to 50 percent of payments by the end of 2018.

There are many unknowns in this industry, but this I know for sure: hospitals in our community are leading the pack.

A few years ago Ted Townsend, CEO of UnityPoint Health St. Luke's Hospital and the CEO of Mercy, were invited by the IHA to Washington D.C. because both Cedar Rapids hospitals delivered high-quality care, and were able to do so at a significantly reduced cost.

Recently both hospitals were honored with the prestigious 100 Top Hospitals award by Truven Health. The recognition is particularly prestigious because hospitals don't apply for or pay for the honor to be nationally ranked. This is the sixth time in a decade St. Luke's has made the coveted list and the third time for Mercy.

According to Truven Health Analytics, top 100 hospitals prove better care and operational efficiency can be achieved simultaneously - regardless of the economy or health care reform. Top 100 hospitals have fewer complications, lower 30-day readmissions and more satisfied patients, all while keeping expenses in check.

I do not feel there was adequate coverage given to this positive and newsworthy event. We are well positioned to weather the continued evolution of health care.

' Sally Gray is a registered nurse and board chair of UnityPoint Health St. Luke's Hospital. Comments: sallywgray319@gmail.com