by Scott McIntyre on Tuesday, November 29, 2011
1“The Iowa Hospital Association is the organization that represents Iowa hospitals and supports them in achieving their missions and goals.”
That is IHA’s mission statement, and it’s a good one. Basically, IHA helps hospitals do what they need to do to meet the expectations of their communities by educating hospital staff, collecting data that helps hospitals plan and representing Iowa hospitals in Des Moines and Washington, D.C.
That last part means IHA is a lobbying organization, not unlike other lobbying organizations that work on behalf of farmers, builders, school teachers, school boards, restaurants, grocers, insurance companies, lawyers, newspapers and dozens of other industries and organizations, including many non-profits, from Boys and Girls Clubs to Ducks Unlimited to Easter Seals.
Some people don’t like lobbyists; one of those people may well be Dean Lerner. Which would be more than a little ironic, since the Department of Inspections and Appeals, the state agency Lerner used to run, has its own lobbyist.
Certainly Lerner dislikes IHA, leaving one to wonder if he doesn’t feel the same way about the hospitals that make up IHA’s membership and drive the Association’s lobbying priorities. For the record, that would be every hospital in the state.
It’s a little hard to tell just what Lerner’s mission is, even after several reads of his 650-word opinion in Sunday’s Des Moines Register. Well, maybe it’s not that hard, as Lerner concludes early on that “hospitals…have come to reflect the values of Wall Street,” though he doesn’t bother to explain what that means or how it has affected one of the highest quality, most efficient health care systems in the country.
But it is obvious Lerner doesn’t like that there are hospitals in West Des Moines (a city of nearly 60,000 people located in the fastest-growing region in the state that Lerner, nonetheless, describes as “nowhere”) even though these hospitals see nearly 2,000 patients each month – in just their emergency rooms.
He doesn’t like Iowa’s smallest hospitals, either, because the federal government has the temerity to pay these hospitals 1 percent more than their cost of care. Lerner doesn’t seem to mind at all that these hospitals are almost completely dependent on Medicare and Medicaid dollars for their survival and that, without the Critical Access Hospital Program, their buildings would remain best suited for medicine as it was practiced 50 years ago.
Maybe Lerner doesn’t realize that Iowa hospitals, particularly in smaller counties, are often the largest employer and always an economic cornerstone for a state desperate to attract and keep young, well-educated workers and their growing families. His position seems to be that these hospitals, and the communities they serve, should just get it over with and die.
He also apparently believes hospitals should not be tax-exempt, though, once again, does not say why. He doesn’t think Medicaid losses by hospitals should count as a community benefit, though it’s difficult to imagine a greater benefit to taxpayers than the $196 million hit Iowa hospitals take each year to keep the program afloat (not to mention $63 million lost to Medicare).
He doesn’t think a half billion dollars in charity care and another $67 million in additional health care services are enough. He doesn’t think $344 million lost to people who simply decide not to pay their hospital bills is enough. And he apparently has ready replacements for hospitals and the millions they expend supporting and improving the health of their communities through education, counseling, sponsorships and research that extend above and beyond day-to-day patient care.
If he does have a different idea, rest assured that it will come at the expense of the communities that hospitals serve, the same communities filled with Iowans who each year donate millions of dollars and thousands of volunteer hours to their hospitals. It is those communities and their representatives that drive each hospital’s mission – the mission that IHA represents and supports.
Because there is one thing Lerner does manage to make clear – he is still the dedicated former bureaucrat who would gladly add more layers of legislation, regulation and expense to health care, ultimately making nurses and physicians more accountable to the government than to their patients and communities.
That’s a mission Iowa’s hospitals will not support, and neither should the people of Iowa.
by Scott McIntyre on Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Grundy County Memorial Hospital
Eighty-four communities in Iowa have submitted a “statement of interest” to become one of 10 demonstration sites for the state’s Blue Zones Project. Submission of the statement of interest is the first step of the application process for the Blue Zones Project. About three-fourths of the 84 communities are home to at least one hospital – and hospitals have taken leadership roles to bring Blue Zones home.
The Blue Zones Project is based upon findings from an eight-year worldwide longevity study to identify common elements of the world’s longest-lived cultures. Blue Zones uses third-party research and direct studies to identify the world’s best practices in longevity and well-being. Working in collaboration with the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, it uses this research to develop lifestyle management tools. In 2009, Blue Zones led a 10-month pilot project in Albert Lea, Minnesota, where residents increased their projected life expectancy by 2.9 years. In addition, employers in that city reported a decline in health care claims cost and a drop in absenteeism.
“Iowans have sent a clear signal that they are eager to improve their well-being,” said Justin Smith, co-leader of the Blue Zones Project. “During the road shows, we were impressed by the passion shown by communities throughout Iowa and we look forward to the next stage in this exciting journey together.”
Blue Zones is tracking community interest in the project and one of the leaders from the start has been Grundy Center. There, Grundy County Memorial Hospital has been a highly active Blue Zones supporter and leader. “For us, this is a very mission-driven project,” said hospital CEO Pam Delagardelle. “The path to becoming a Blue Zones community aligns perfectly with our hospital’s mission of ‘improving the health of the communities we serve.’”
“It’s a perfect time for our hospital to drive this initiative for our community – we have the local infrastructure in place with strategic partners like public health, the school district, and local businesses all actively involved in community health implementation. The prospect of transforming our community’s well-being is exciting and energizing and our stakeholders are prepared to align efforts to accomplish the transformation.”
Algona is another place that has received significant community support for its Blue Zones application and Kossuth Regional Health Center (KRHC) has led the way with several staff members joining in the community-wide effort. “We know that lifestyle choices make a big impact on people’s overall health and see great value in investing in wellness opportunities for the community and on behalf of our own employees,” said KRHC CEO Scott Curtis.
“We have encouraged staff from all areas of the hospital to get involved and have engaged physicians, public health nurses, business health staff and others in this effort so far. In addition to working on plans and ideas for the overall community, at KRHC we have also started introducing Blue Zones concepts to our employees.”
After the statements of interest are reviewed, select communities will be asked to submit a formal, detailed application to become one of 10 demonstration sites to receive assistance in developing and implementing a blueprint for making permanent environmental, policy and social network changes that transition people into healthier behaviors. These communities will share their learnings with other communities in Iowa.
The invitations to submit formal applications will be extended to communities by November 23, and the applications must be submitted by January 4, 2012. Upon assessment of these applications, a group of finalist communities will then be selected to host a site visit between February 27, 2012 and March 16, 2012. This process will culminate with the selection of the first group of lead communities in May of next year.
Well-being improvement in the participating communities will be measured using the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, the first-ever daily assessment of U.S. residents health and well-being. Well-Being Index data reveals a significant opportunity in Iowa for improvement, particularly among healthy behaviors and work environments. Iowa currently ranks 19th on the index; the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative, of which the Blue Zones Project is a centerpiece, aims to pull Iowa to the top of the index by helping employers and communities achieve greater well-being, which should lead to lower health care costs, higher productivity and increased economic viability.
by Scott McIntyre on Monday, October 10, 2011
Employees from Floyd County Medical Center in Charles City show their support for the October 7 walk.
More than 291,000 Iowans voted with their feet in favor of the new Healthiest State Initiative by participating in Start Somewhere Walks held across Iowa last week, according to estimates by walk organizers. The walks were a huge success in communities both large and small, from one side of the state to the other.
“In more than 2,300 group walks and thousands of individual walks, Iowans said ‘yes’ to starting our journey to becoming the healthiest state in the nation,” said Governor Terry Branstad, who announced the Healthiest State Initiative in August. “It was a remarkable display of energy as Iowans came together to ‘start somewhere’ in reaching this ambitious goal.”
Start Somewhere Walks, which were held in each of Iowa’s 99 counties, were hosted by several Iowa hospitals (see a slide show of photos) as providers continue to play in leading role in the initiative and its centerpiece, the Iowa Blue Zones Project.
Blue Zones uses third party research and direct studies to identify the world’s best practices in longevity and well-being. Working in collaboration with the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, it uses this research to develop lifestyle management tools. In 2009, Blue Zones led a 10-month pilot project in Albert Lea, Minnesota, where residents increased their projected life expectancy by 2.9 years. In addition, employers in that city reported a decline in healthcare claims cost and a drop in absenteeism.
Now, communities across Iowa have been invited to apply to become one of 10 to receive direct assistance from national experts in their quest to join Blue Zones. Communities will be selected in multiple phases over the next five years. These communities will become demonstration sites and share their learnings with other communities in Iowa who are employing Blue Zones principles. Businesses will also take the lead by transforming their worksites, followed by government, schools and non-profit organizations.
Dozens of Iowa cities and towns have expressed interest in becoming Blue Zones communities. Communities wanting to find out more can send representatives to Blue Zones “road shows” being held this week. Information is also available from a webinar that was presented last month and recorded. To officially join the Blue Zones competition, communities must submit a statement of interest by October 28.
by Chris English on Thursday, October 6, 2011
Thursday, 8:45 a.m.
At last night’s House of Delegates meeting, Gary Riedmann, CEO at St. Anthony’s Regional Hospital in Carroll, was sworn in as the new IHA Board Chair. Riedmann replaces last year’s Board Chair, Joe Smith, and will serve a one-year term as head of the board. Riedmann is slated to provide the opening remarks for today’s first session, the recognition of this year’s Iowa Hospital Heroes at 8:30 a.m. Following the awards, Riedmann will also introduce the final keynote speaker of this year’s Annual Meeting, Paul Auerbach.
Want to see more pictures from this year’s annual meeting? Click here to view the whole album on Flickr.
Thursday, 10:00 a.m.
Keynote speaker, Paul Auerbach, left the crowd stunned with the stories of his experience providing medical relief in the wake of the Haiti earthquake. His words and photos had a profound impact on attendees as they embarked on the final day of the 82nd Annual Meeting.
Thursday, 12:30 p.m.
Laurie Everhardt, Volunteer Services Manager at Waverly Health Center, provides her reaction to Cy Wakeman’s session, “Succeeding in Spite of the Facts,” and talks about challenging conventional wisdom in volunteerism.
Thursday, 3:00 p.m.
That’s all she wrote! The 82nd IHA Annual Meeting has officially adjourned. Thank you to all who attended, IHA hopes you had a great week. Safe travels – we’ll see you again next year!
by Chris English on Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Wednesday, 8:45 a.m.
The halls of the Des Moines Downtown Marriott are a’buzz this morning with hundreds of health care workers as well as over 50 trade show exhibitors. Attendees have filed into the ballroom once again to prepare for the morning’s opening session. Starting out day two of the Annual Meeting is an award ceremony, recognizing those who have completed the IHA Health Care Leadership Series. Following the ceremony will be health care futurist, Jeff Goldsmith who will be delivering the Cordes/Ramsey keynote speech.
Pictures of the keynote and award ceremony will be posted soon.
Wednesday, 10:30 a.m.
Some pictures from this morning’s opening session:
Cordes/Ramsey keynote speaker, health care futurist, Jeff Goldsmith.
IHA Board Chair and CEO of Boone County Hospital, Joe Smith, handing out awards recognizing those who completed the IHA Health Care Leadership Series.
Wednesday, 12:45 p.m.
The afternoon sessions have begun. Today’s tracks include the following:
- Clinical Leadership: Finding Balance
- Reform: From Impact to Innovation
- Strategic Leadership
- Foundations: Giving for Good
After the final sessions of the day are finished, there are still a couple events happening at the conference. At 4:30 p.m. is the House of Delegates (for IHA Voting Delegates Only) in the Cedar Rapids/Council Bluffs rooms on the 3rd floor. Following this is the Chair’s Celebration at 5:30 p.m. in the Iowa Ballroom. All attendees are encouraged to attend this reception and enjoy an opportunity to relax and socialize amongst their peers at the conference.
Wednesday, 2:00 p.m.
Sherri Doggett, VP of Patient Care Services at Mercy Medical Center-Centerville talks about why its important for nurses to attend Annual Meeting and why it’s still a worthwhile conference to attend year after year.
