June 26, 2017 - Brian Tabor Column: Cuts to Medicaid will Hurt Hoosiers
Health care leaders across the state are closely following
action in Washington D.C. on “repeal and replace” of the Affordable Care Act
(ACA). Given the recent announcement that two insurers will not offer coverage
in Indiana through the ACA marketplace for 2018, the need to stabilize this
market is more urgent than ever. More than 150,000 Hoosiers could be without
options if this trend continues.
But while Indiana’s hospital leaders support swift action to
address this problem and also desire other significant changes to the ACA,
there are major concerns with how the Medicaid program may be affected by the
current proposal before the U.S. Senate. Indiana has proven many times that we
are a leading state when it comes to providing comprehensive and compassionate
care in innovative ways that bend the cost curve and improve outcomes. We can
continue our successes, but only if adequate resources are provided. Although
we do not yet have specific state-level projections for the Senate’s discussion
draft released on June 22, it is clear that such a plan will greatly reduce
future support for our Medicaid program.
Jointly funded by our state and the federal government,
Indiana’s Medicaid program provides coverage for one in five Hoosiers, including
more than 600,000 children and pregnant women. This coverage ensures that more
young children get regular, preventative doctor visits and that pregnant
mothers receive quality prenatal care, which significantly reduces the
likelihood of infant mortality and costly premature deliveries. The program
also covers more than 100,000 of our most vulnerable citizens, including the
elderly, blind, disabled, and children in foster care.
If Indiana’s ability to provide coverage to these
individuals is threatened, hospitals and other providers must brace for an
increase in uncompensated care. But we must also keep in mind that reductions
in Medicaid funding will ultimately impact not just patients, hospitals, and
those within the silo of health care—there would be substantial impacts to each
and every Hoosier. Indiana currently spends about $2 billion annually to fund
Medicaid, but these dollars leverage another $8 billion in federal funding.
These are real dollars that support above-average wages in the health care
sector that are spent in local businesses and support thousands of jobs in
other industries.
If the total amount of spending is reduced, state
policymakers will face difficult choices. We are fortunate to live in a state
with strong fiscal foundation, but if Indiana must shift resources away from
other areas, this could jeopardize recent gains in road infrastructure
investment, K-12 education programs, and more. In addition, the HIP 2.0 program
is funded with Medicaid matching dollars and is vital to winning the battle
against opioid abuse in communities across Indiana. We all have an interest in
adequate funding for this program, and we hope that our U.S. Senators and
Representatives will look carefully at the long-term impact on Medicaid under
any legislation.
June 26, 2017 - IHA Board of Directors Votes to Oppose Senate Health Care Bill
“The Indiana Hospital Association’s Board of Directors voted
today to oppose the current version of the Senate’s Better Care Reconciliation
Act of 2017 (BCRA). The Board affirmed its commitment to maintaining access for
the hundreds of thousands who have gained coverage in recent years. The
Senate’s proposal threatens the future of the successful Healthy Indiana Plan
2.0, and it would also substantially reduce support for Indiana’s overall
Medicaid program which covers more than one million Hoosiers. Indiana has
proven many times that we are a leading state when it comes to providing
comprehensive and compassionate care in innovative ways that bend the cost
curve, incentivize personal responsibility, and improve outcomes. We can
continue our successes, but only if adequate resources are provided. We support
flexibility for states and urge swift action to stabilize the individual
insurance market. However, the structure of health care reform legislation must
maintain and protect coverage while also supporting true delivery and financing
reform.”
- Brian Tabor, President, Indiana Hospital Association
Feb. 1, 2017 - New Data Available on Indiana's Hospital Charge and Quality Transparency Website
Charge and quality
data is now available for the 50 most frequent outpatient procedures in Indiana
via the Indiana Hospital Association’s mycareINsight.org, making the free tool even
more useful to Hoosier patients and consumers.
Nov. 29, 2016 - Statement
from Doug Leonard, President, Indiana Hospital Association, on the decision by
President-elect Donald Trump to nominate Seema Verma as Administrator of the
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
“Our team at Indiana Hospital Association has had the
pleasure of working closely with Seema Verma for years. She is smart, dedicated
and has a truly transformational vision for health care. She also deeply
understands the critical importance of coverage to those served by programs
like Medicare and Medicaid, and is a superb choice to lead the Centers for
Medicare & Medicaid Services.”
Oct. 26, 2016 - Indiana Hospital Association Names Julie Halbig as Vice President of Legislative Relations
The Indiana Hospital Association (IHA) is pleased to announce that Julie Halbig will join the association as the vice president of legislative relations on October 31. In her role, Halbig will lead IHA’s advocacy efforts and represent Indiana hospitals before policymakers at the state and national levels.
Oct. 4, 2016 - Indiana Hospital Association Selected to Continue Improvements in Patient Safety
The
American Hospital Association’s Health Research & Educational Trust (AHA/HRET) has been selected as one of 16 national, regional or state hospital
associations, Quality Improvement Organizations and health system organizations
to continue efforts in reducing preventable hospital-acquired conditions and readmissions. The
Hospital Improvement Innovation Network (HIIN) contracts awarded build upon the
collective momentum of the Hospital Engagement Networks and Quality Improvement
Organizations to reduce patient harm and readmissions. This announcement is
part of a broader effort to transform our health care system into one that
works better for the American people and for the Medicare program.
Sept. 28, 2016 - Indiana Hospital Association Names Brian Tabor as Next President
The Indiana Hospital Association (IHA) is
pleased to announce that the IHA Board of Directors unanimously selected Brian Tabor, the association’s current
executive vice president, as the next president of the organization beginning
June of 2017. Tabor will succeed Doug Leonard, who will remain president until
his retirement next June after serving as IHA’s president since 2007. Continue Reading »
Aug. 31, 2016 - Indiana Hospitals Rally to Stop Sepsis
September is National Sepsis Awareness Month,
and the Indiana Hospital Association (IHA) is spreading the word about the
potentially deadly response to an infection. Sepsis claims more than 258,000
lives in the United States each year, according to Sepsis Alliance. Continue Reading »
July 21, 2016 - Indiana Hospital Association Hires New Vice President
The Indiana Hospital Association (IHA) is pleased to announce the hire of Andrew VanZee, an experienced health care executive with a history of improving hospital systems and redefining how patients access their health care, as vice president of the association. Continue Reading »
July 15, 2016 - Laura McCaffrey Joins Indiana Hospital Association
Indiana Hospital Association (IHA) is pleased to announce the addition of Laura McCaffrey as public affairs specialist. Continue Reading »
July 7, 2016 - Indiana Hospital Association President Doug Leonard to Retire June 2017
Doug Leonard, who has led the Indiana Hospital
Association (IHA) since 2007, plans to retire as president of the association
in June 2017. Continue Reading »
June 10, 2016 - Indiana Hospital Association Adds to Indiana Patient Safety Center Team
Indiana Hospital Association (IHA) is pleased to
announce the hire of Cynthia Roush as a patient safety support specialist.
Roush will assist the patient safety team with hospital engagement network
efforts. Continue Reading »
June 8, 2016 - Indiana Hospital Association Recognizes Health
Care Leaders at Indiana Patient Safety Summit
Indiana
Hospital Association (IHA) is pleased to announce the recipients of the first annual
Patient Safety Awards given by the Indiana Patient Safety Center. The awards,
honoring commitment and enthusiasm for improving patient safety in hospitals
across the state, were presented on June 7 at IHA’s Indiana Patient Safety
Summit. Continue Reading »
May 9, 2016 - Hoosier Hospitals: Essential to the Health of our Patients and Indiana's Economy
National
Hospital Week (May 8 – 14) marks a time to recognize Indiana hospitals for what
they are – cornerstones of our communities. They provide vital health care
services and are a place of refuge and healing during times of disaster and
distress. However, we should also not forget how essential hospitals are to the
social fabric of our state and the role they play in our economy. Continue Reading »
April 6, 2016 - IHA President Doug Leonard Receives IU Fairbanks School of Public Health Distinguished Alumni Award
The Indiana Hospital
Association (IHA) is pleased to announce that President Doug Leonard has been
selected as the recipient of the 2016 Distinguished Alumni Award by the IU
Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health. Leonard was honored with the award for his career-long dedication to the health
care sector, demonstrating significant professional achievement and leadership
within the field. Continue Reading »
Jan. 27, 2016 - Statement from Doug
Leonard, President, Indiana Hospital Association
Regarding HIP 2.0 One
Year Anniversary
It’s been a wonderful
year for the health of our state. Since HIP 2.0 was implemented, Indiana
hospitals have seen a significant reduction in the amount of uncompensated care
– while Indiana patients gained an affordable option for health coverage. Continue Reading »
Jan. 6, 2016 - Indiana Hospital Association Welcomes Terry Cole as Vice President of Finance
Indiana Hospital Association is pleased to
announce the addition of Terry Cole as vice president of finance. Bringing more
than 30 years of experience in the health care field, Cole will serve as IHA’s
primary liaison with federal and state agencies and other third-party payers on
reimbursement issues. Continue Reading »
Nov. 17, 2015 - IHA Recognizes Health
Care Leaders, Names 2016 Board of Directors
The
Indiana Hospital Association presented its two highest awards last week at the
2015 IHA Annual Membership Meeting, Nov. 10 - 12. Continue Reading »
Nov. 9, 2015 - Indiana Hospital Association Promotes Three Executives
Indiana Hospital Association announced the promotions of three employees from its leadership staff. Brian Tabor, vice president of government relations, has been named executive vice president of the association. In addition, IHA’s director of member services, Cathy Armold, and director of communications, Jennifer Hurtubise, have been promoted to vice president. Continue Reading »
Oct. 26, 2015 - Indiana Hospital Association Updates Hospital Pricing Website, careINsight
Consumers shopping for health care in Indiana can now enjoy a new and improved website from the Indiana Hospital Association (IHA) to help them compare hospital charges and quality ratings. Continue Reading »
Sept. 28, 2015 - Indiana Hospital Association Included in a
Nationwide Effort to Continue Improvements in Patient Safety
The Indiana Hospital
Association (IHA), as a part of the American Hospital Association/Health
Research & Educational Trust Hospital Engagement Network, has been selected
as one of 17 national, regional or state hospital associations and health
system organizations to continue efforts in reducing preventable
hospital-acquired conditions and readmissions. Continue Reading »
June 25, 2015 - Statement from Doug Leonard, President, Indiana Hospital Association Regarding King v. Burwell Decision
Indiana hospitals are
breathing a collective sigh of relief with today’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling.
Hundreds of thousands of our patients with moderate to lower incomes will continue
to have access to tax credits and subsidies that make health coverage
affordable. Continue Reading »
May 11, 2015 - Indiana Hospital Association Raises Funds for IUPUI Scholarships
The Indiana Hospital Association is hosting its eighth annual Stella Scholarship Golf Outing on June 2. Proceeds from the outing benefit the Stella Scholarship Fund, which awards $10,000 each to two Master of Health Administration students at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis annually. Continue Reading »
May 8, 2015 - Patient Safety Findings Show Reduced Harm, Fewer Readmissions at Indiana Hospitals
The results are in after a three-year campaign to prevent harm and reduce readmissions for hospital patients across the nation, and participating Indiana hospitals are showing significant progress. The new findings come just as hospitals around the country celebrate National Hospital Week beginning May 10 – a celebration of the men and women who support the health of their communities through dedication and compassionate care. Continue Reading »
April 7, 2015 - New Leadership Team
Appointed to Indiana Patient Safety Center
The
Indiana Hospital Association (IHA)
is pleased to announce that Carolyn Konfirst and Karin Kennedy will share
leadership duties overseeing the Indiana Patient Safety Center. Having led the
center on an interim basis while IHA conducted a search for permanent
candidates, Konfirst and Kennedy have been appointed clinical director and
administrative director, respectively. Continue Reading »
March 3, 2015 - Hospitals Serve as Key Job Creators
A new report released today by the American Hospital Association (AHA)
highlights the substantial economic contribution that hospitals generate for
cities and states around the country – and communities in Indiana mirror this
national trend. Nationally, hospitals employ 5.6 million people and create
nearly $2.6 trillion in economic activity. Communities in Indiana rely heavily
on Hoosier hospitals, employing more than 128,000 people and creating more than
$37 million in economic activity. Continue Reading »
Feb. 26, 2015 - Indiana Hospital Association Selects BESLER
Consulting as Endorsed Business Partner
Indiana Hospital Association (IHA) announced
today their endorsement of BESLER Consulting’s Transfer DRG Recovery Service. Continue Reading »
Feb. 4, 2015 Pence's HIP 2.0 Plan Sends Lifeline to Rural Hospitals
With the approval of the Healthy Indiana Plan 2.0 waiver
after months of negotiations, Governor Pence and his administration are to be
commended for their efforts to secure this innovative, affordable coverage
program for those who need it most: our state’s working families. With HIP,
more than 350,000 additional Hoosiers will soon be on the path toward a
healthier future. Continue Reading »
Jan. 27, 2015 - Statement from Doug Leonard, President, IHA, Regarding Approval of HIP 2.0 Waiver by CMS
“It’s
a great day for so many in our state, including hard-working families, veterans
and others who have struggled without health insurance. Through HIP 2.0, more
than 350,000 additional Hoosiers will now have affordable options for coverage,
and Indiana hospitals stand ready to educate our patients about the new
program. Continue Reading
Jan. 12, 2015 - New Website Compares Indiana Hospital Pricing and Quality
Consumers shopping for health care in Indiana can
now use a free website to compare hospital charges and quality ratings.
Developed by the Indiana Hospital Association, careINsight—or mycareINsight.org—will help Hoosiers
better understand what goes into hospital billing and key questions to ask
before seeking treatment. Continue Reading »
Nov. 26, 2014 - National Expert on Ebola Preparedness Visits Indiana
The
MESH Hospital Preparedness Coalition (MESH), in partnership with the Indiana
Hospital Association, is leading efforts to better prepare health care
facilities for potential Ebola cases in Indiana. Through the partnership, MESH
sponsored a lecture on Nov. 25 with health care leaders from around
Indianapolis sharing best practices related to recognition, diagnosis and
treatment of patients with Ebola. Continue Reading »
Nov. 18, 2014 - 116 Indiana Hospitals Celebrating Successes of
Quality and Patient Safety Efforts
The Indiana Hospital Association (IHA) recognized 116 of Indiana’s hospitals today for their work to reduce patient harm by 40 percent and readmissions by 20 percent over the past three years. The recognition is based on the results of a national campaign known as Partnership for Patients, created by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to improve quality and patient safety at hospitals nationwide. Continue Reading »
Oct. 16, 2014 - Indiana’s Hospitals and Nurses Work Together to Prepare for Ebola
Ebola preparedness is something Indiana’s hospitals and their nursing partners are taking very seriously. Nurses often are the first to encounter a patient who may be showing signs of an infectious disease, and it is critical that they, and all frontline health care providers, have the proper training, equipment and protocols to remain safe and care for the patient. Continue Reading »
Sept. 2, 2014 -
Fifty-one Indiana
Hospitals Improving Quality of Lives for Mothers and Newborns
March of
Dimes and the Indiana Hospital Association (IHA) are recognizing 51 of
Indiana’s birthing hospitals on Sept. 5 for their work to reduce the number of
elective inductions and cesarean deliveries performed before 39 completed weeks
of pregnancy. This will give more babies a healthy start in life. Continue Reading »
July 2, 2014 - Indiana Hospitals Applaud Submission of HIP 2.0 Plan for Federal Approval
When it comes to
access to quality health care, no Hoosier deserves to fall through gaps in the
state’s coverage system. This is why the Indiana Hospital Association urges the
federal CMS agency to quickly approve the new HIP 2.0 Healthy Indiana Plan, that
was just submitted by Governor Mike Pence. The plan would provide health
care coverage for up to 350,000 residents of Indiana who fall in the coverage
gap, just outside the income requirements to enroll in Medicaid and below the
level to qualify for ACA tax credits. Continue Reading »
May 15, 2014 - Hospitals Support State’s Plan for Expanding Coverage
Following the announcement by Governor Mike Pence that the state of Indiana has proposed an expansion of the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP), Indiana Hospital Association signaled its support of the HIP 2.0 concept to now be considered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The plan, if approved, could provide health care coverage for up to 350,000 residents who are currently without insurance. Continue Reading »
March 5, 2014 - Everyone Benefits by Responsibly Expanding
Health Care Coverage for Hoosiers
A medical epidemic is one of the worst scenarios a hospital can face – when a significant portion of the population is suddenly struck with a life-threatening illness. Indiana is facing the equivalent of an epidemic that threatens the health of our people: nearly 15 percent of our state’s population is without health insurance. 860,000 Hoosiers are at risk from a medical and economic disaster because they lack health insurance.
Continue Reading »
Feb. 25, 2014 - Indiana Hospital Association Launches Expand Indiana Campaign
Indiana Hospital Association
announced today the launch of Expand Indiana, a statewide campaign to help
citizens, legislators and business leaders understand the importance of expanding
health care coverage in Indiana. Continue reading »
Feb. 21, 2014 - Statement from Indiana Hospital Association President Douglas Leonard on Meeting Between Governor Pence and Secretary Sebelius
“We have been anxiously awaiting the report on the meeting
between Governor Pence and Secretary Sebelius, as this issue is of such vital
importance to hospitals throughout Indiana and their patients. We are greatly
encouraged with the progress being made toward coverage expansion using the
Healthy Indiana Plan to help thousands of Hoosiers.”
Feb. 21, 2014 - Hoosiers Face Health Care Coverage Plan Deadline
Hoosiers have less than six weeks until open enrollment closes for 2014 under the Indiana Health Insurance Marketplace. Indiana Hospital Association is encouraging those in need of coverage to apply through the program operated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) before the 2014 deadline of March 31. Continue reading »
Hoosiers have less than a week until open enrollment begins for the Indiana Health Insurance Marketplace. The Indiana Hospital Association and the Indiana Primary Health Care Association, Inc. are preparing to help uninsured Hoosiers learn about and apply for the new health care coverage program operated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Continue reading »
Sept. 3, 2013 – IHA President Doug Leonard on Gov. Pence Announcement Regarding Healthy Indiana Plan
Indiana Hospital Association is pleased to hear that the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) will be extended beyond its schedule expiration at the end of 2013. Continue reading »
March 1, 2013 – Indiana Faces Millions in Health Care Cuts
Indiana hospitals face an additional $844 million in cuts over 10 years under the sequester. Under sequestration, Medicare payments to providers will be cut by two percent. Approximately 16,500 health care and related jobs could be lost in Indiana by 2021 as a result of cuts triggered by the Budget Control Act of 2011. Continue reading »
February 11, 2013 – Study: Medicaid Expansion Could Boost Economy
A new report released today finds that an expansion of Indiana’s Medicaid program under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) would generate up to $3.4 billion in new economic activity in the state. According to the report by the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Center for Health Policy, these funds could result in at least $108 million in additional state and local tax revenue each year and would support more than 30,000 jobs through 2020. Continue reading »
January 24, 2013 – Hospitals Are a Major Driver of the Indiana Economy
Hospitals in Indiana employ 126,860 people and create more than $33 billion in state economic activity. Nationally hospitals employ 5.5 million people and create $2 trillion in economic activity. The economic contribution of hospitals, highlighted in a new report released today by the American Hospital Association (AHA), is critical to communities. Continue reading »
