Medicare, Medicaid and the implications the Affordable Health Care Act has for hospitals was the theme of St. Luke”™s-Cornwall”™s recent president”™s breakfast at The Powelton Club in Newburgh.
“Our 10-year $125 million master facilities plan has become a reality positioning our organization for success,” hospital President Allan Atzrott said. “We”™ve made major facility enhancements, embraced the transition to outpatient care and strengthened our physician recruitment effort.”
Atzrott announced the hospital”™s plan to add a third cardiac catheterization lab in 2012 and a desire to expand its Infusion Suite, which is at capacity ”“ despite being open just over a year. SLCH has grown its medical staff 58 percent since 2001while continuing to be vigilant in quality patient care by adding hotel-like amenities to inpatient units and patient waiting areas.
Atzrott focused attention on state and national health care reform, specifically, the Affordable Care Act. “This is one of the most significant changes in the nation”™s health care system since the creation of Medicare,” Atzrott said. A few of the challenges are a growing state deficit, unfunded pension liabilities, volume being driven to the outpatient market, 2 percent reduction in Medicaid payments across the board and the need for tort reform and medical loss ratios
“Despite the change in the health care landscape our focus has remained on quality and patient care,” Atzrott said. “SLCH continues to improve and grow to meet the needs of our community. Atzrott also discussed the rebuilding and repurposing of SLCH and the need for an outpatient focused mission. “SLCH is focusing on the continuum of care and remains steadfast in the improvement and growth of our core services, heart, cancer, stroke, orthopedics and OB.”
Atzrott encouraged guests to continue to be engaged with the hospital from a volunteer and philanthropic perspective. “We need the community”™s support now more than ever,” said he told breakfast guests.
