OutBox
The Roots of Reform'Things alter for the worse spontaneously, if they be not altered for the better designedly.'Francis Bacon
Some politicians, policymakers and pundits seem convinced that the reeling economy has put health care reform on the back burner. That would be a dangerous assumption and an even more dangerous reality. To paraphrase Bacon, if left unchecked, the problems in health care not only will get worse without a certain plan of action, but any solution to the nation’s economic problems also must go hand-in-hand with a clear recognition of hospitals’ critical role in America’s communities … a role that goes far beyond treating people when they are sick.
The economic downturn, put simply, reinforces the need for health care reform, and for more effective support of the social programs and services that communities rely on. Fortunately, the new administration has publicly stated its intent to take some sort of action on providing health care for all. But plenty more needs to be done, and it will take a lot of effort on the part of a lot of stakeholders to do it, especially in America’s communities.
Let’s look at what happens to communities during an ailing economy, and at who or what provides the support to see them through.
What happens: job losses, of course, homelessness, increased substance abuse and domestic violence, one-income families become two- or three-income families as people take second and third jobs—if they can find them—to make ends meet. In some cases, youngsters even quit school because their families can’t afford for them not to work. At the same time, the need for mental health services increases … routine doctor and dental visits are put off … some people lose their sources of transportation … and on and on.
Almost all of these factors have a direct impact on the health and stability of individuals, families and communities—and much of that impact will end up at the hospital door, unless there is some sort of intervention.
Who or what provides support: all of a community’s hospitals and other community support systems, such as churches (70 percent of the nation’s churches provide direct health care services in some way), food banks, fuel assistance funds, family counseling services, the YMCAs and YWCAs, schools, civic organizations … the list goes on.
So, with communities feeling the sharp effects of the economic downturn, now is the time to reach out to other community leaders to see how we can work together to reinforce the health care safety net. That will be key to helping the people who rely on us to survive these tough times. It’s the kind of thing hospitals always have done and it demonstrates their benefit to the community beyond any doubt.
There is a lot of talk at the national level about what kind of health care reform is needed, and how to pay for it. The AHA will of course take a key role in those discussions. But the real reform happens at home, and we are proud to represent community leaders who work hard every day to make sure the needs of their communities, especially in times like these, are met.
Richard Umbdenstock is president and CEO of the American Hospital Association. You can contact our guest author at rumbdenstock@aha.org
This article 1st appeared in the January 2009 issue of HHN Magazine.
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