'The Business of Health Care Report'

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I’m Doug Hawthorne, CEO of Texas Health Resources, with “The Business of Health Care Report.”

This year you will see many examples of how Texas Health is building bridges to the future of health care. In January, we began implementing new programs for transitional care and diabetes care coordination at several hospitals. We also announced agreements to form Accountable Care Organizations with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas and with Aetna. More innovative changes are on the way in the coming months.

Our long-term goals are to transform from a model of “diagnosing and treating sick people” to one of “improving health and keeping people healthy.” Texas Health is leading the way and working with employers to provide tools that improve employee health, lower the cost of providing health benefits, and raise productivity by reducing absenteeism.

We’re addressing three major challenges common to all of these initiatives. The first challenge is aligning all parts of the health services team around the needs of the patient. The second is creating an economically sustainable business model. The third is supporting people with information and tools that empower individuals to take greater personal accountability for health improvement.

I encourage you to visit TexasHealth.org/WellBeing, and learn how you can join us in building bridges to the future.

For our faith-based health system — Texas Health Presbyterian, Texas Health Harris Methodist and Texas Health Arlington Memorial — I’m Doug Hawthorne.