Roane General Hospital is dedicated to the delivery of high-quality, cost-effective health care to all members of our community. The work we do makes a difference in people’s lives.
Health Care Reform Passes: What’s included in the largest overhaul of our nation’s healthcare system in 50 years?
On March 23, President Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The legislation is thought to be the most sweeping health care reform in more than 50 years when the government created the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
So what’s included in this reform package? How does it impact the hospital? How does it impact you as a consumer, taxpayer, and citizen?
Listed below is a summary of the major provisions included in the bill. Unfortunately, due to the size of the legislation (over 2000 pages), we will not know all the details for weeks and months to come. What we do know is the following though:
Cost of the Reform Package - The final cost estimate of the legislation is $940 billion over 10 years. The reform will be paid for by cuts in reimbursement to hospitals, home health agencies, and others as well as increased taxes for wealthy individuals, high cost insurance plans, and others.
Health Insurance Expansion – The legislation expands health insurance to approximately 32 million individuals or about 94% of the population. They primarily do this through an expansion of the public programs such as Medicaid, an individual mandate to purchase coverage, and through incentives for large employers to provide coverage.
Medicaid – Beginning in 2014, all States will be required to expand their Medicaid programs to cover low income people up to 133% of the federal poverty level, which equals about $29,300 for a family of four. This will provide new coverage for an estimated 12-16 million people.
Individual Mandate - Beginning in 2014, all US citizens will be required to obtain health insurance coverage or face a tax penalty or fine. Those individuals who do not qualify for a government program or are covered under their employer will be able to purchase coverage through newly formed “health insurance exchanges”. Subsidies will be available to assist lower income individuals/families up to 400% of the federal poverty guidelines. Many States are currently objecting to this mandate believing it is unconstitutional.
Employers – Employers will not be required to provide coverage, but large employers will be charged a fee if any of their employees purchase coverage through the exchange noted above.
Insurance Reform – There are several insurance reforms in the package including, but not limited too, insurance companies will no longer be permitted to deny coverage for individuals with pre-existing conditions or setting annual or lifetime limits of coverage. Most of these insurance reforms will not be enacted until 2014 but some will be effective immediately such as allowing parents to keep children on their policies up to the age of 26.
Hospital Payment Reductions - Hospitals will be facing cuts in reimbursement from Medicare payments as well as reductions in the Disproportionate Share Program totaling $155 billion over 10 years. Other payment cuts associated with high hospital readmission rates and hospital acquired infections will also reduce reimbursement compared to the current system. It is still unknown how these reductions will impact us as a Critical Access Hospital.
Health System Reform - There are several provisions in the legislation that is designed to reward higher quality or performing hospitals and penalties for lower performing hospitals. The performance will be measured through several criteria such as Patient Satisfaction (HCAHPS), Core Measures (Clinical Indicators for Heart Failure, Pneumonia, Acute Myocardial Infarction, and Surgical Care), Mortality Rates, as well as Readmission Rates and Hospital-Acquired Infections.
In addition to the Pay for Performance criteria outlined above, there are several pilot projects that will take place throughout the country to look at creative ways to bundle and integrate care. The goal will be to look at ways to cut costs and improve quality.
This is perhaps the most significant piece of legislation enacted during some of our lifetimes. Every American will be touched by it, but as health care providers, we will be a part of it.
Doug Bentz: Chief Executive Officer
Louise Ward: Vice President of Financial and Support Services
Martha Hardman: Vice President of Quality and Ancillary Service
Julie Carr: Vice President of Nursing Services
Brenda Knapp: Executive Assistant
Roane General Hospital Board of Directors
Directors
| Richard E. Bowlby | President |
| William G. Downey, Jr. | Vice President |
| Gregory Boggs | Vice President |
| Jennifer McCulty | Secretary |
| John A. Varda | Treasurer |
Members
| Bob Ashley |
| G. Jeanette Atkinson |
| Martha S. Cooper |
| Jack D. Garrett, II |
| Paul M. Hughes |
| John H. Taylor |
| Gerald M. Titus, Jr. |
| Thomas N. Whittier |
| Robert E. Zdanek |
| Ex Officio: Douglas E. Bentz, Chief Executive Officer |
| Ex Officio: Dr. Brent Watson, Chief of Medical Staff |
Roane General Hospital Foundation
Roane General Hospital is a nonprofit institution serving Roane County since 1970. Formed by community leaders in 1995, the Roane General Hospital Foundation supports the hospital’s mission and helps meet community health care needs every day.
The Foundation gives the public an opportunity to support healthcare services in Roane County. Without public support and community involvement, access to healthcare services at the local level would be diminished or even lost, forcing individuals to either go without services or to travel to other communities to get the care they need. With an increasing number of senior citizens in our community, travel is not always an alternative.
Individual contributions to the Foundation are always welcome and deeply appreciated. Contributions are tax-deductible, may be made in honor of or memory of someone special, and may be mailed to the following address: RGH Foundation, Inc. 200 Hospital Drive, Spencer WV 25276. If you would like additional information about becoming a supporter of the RGH Foundation, please call or email Louise Ward at 304-927-6201 or laward@rghwv.org.
Roane General Hospital is an excellent place to begin or advance your career. At RGH, we are always looking to recruit and retain outstanding physicians, medical staff, and hospital administrators. Our hospital and our community offer an environment that nurtures professional growth as well as quality of life. Someone is always available to speak with you about your interest in a career with Roane General Hospital; if you have questions or would like to talk to someone about our opportunities, please call our Human Resources department at 304-927-6370.
We encourage you to download and complete an employment application or submit a resume to:
Roane General Hospital
Attn: Human Resources Department
200 Hospital Drive
Spencer, WV 25276