Business of Healthcare Report -

We Are Living in a World of Transparency

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

Texas Health is living in a new world of transparency in everything we do as a healthcare system. There are numerous public reports and websites where consumers can find information comparing hospitals and physicians on measurements of quality and patient safety.

For example, Consumer Reports rates hospitals on a variety of measures. Even Angie’s List has gotten into the act of rating doctors.

Texas Health’s philosophy is that we will be transparent about our performance. We believe that as a community-based not-for-profit health system, that is our mission and responsibility to the communities we serve.

We also believe it is our responsibility to help consumers understand the data and how to use it. I encourage you to visit TexasHealth.org/Quality, to learn more about various quality and safety measures.

Transparency means that Texas Health must continually challenge ourselves to improve.

Texas Health pledges to continuously improve our performance on all fronts — from clinical outcomes to patient satisfaction. Our goal is to be the leader in the ability to deliver safe, quality care in every place where we touch a patient across our system. We will never rest on our laurels and pledge to make Texas Health a national benchmark for others to follow.

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

Personal Accountability, Healthy Behaviors Vital to Economic Sustainability of Healthcare System

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

A recent study by PricewaterhouseCoopers says that the percentage of Gross Domestic Product spent on healthcare leveled off in 2010 at 17.9 percent.

This flattening of the growth curve is good news. But we must take steps to sustain that trend, keep costs down and improve health.

Personal accountability for healthy behaviors could have a significant impact on controlling the growth of health spending. Texas Health is using our experience as one of the largest employers in North Texas to help other companies develop effective programs to keep costs down by improving the health-related behaviors of their employees.

Over the past 10 years, we have seen significant results from our “BeHealthy” program that incentivizes employees to be accountable for adopting healthier habits.

For example, our medical and prescription drug costs per employee are 18.6 percent lower than the national average. Over the last six years, the percentage of employees in the high-risk category has decreased from 11 percent to 6.5 percent. The low-risk category has increased from 67 percent to almost 75 percent.

Such employer-sponsored programs can have a huge impact on health. Our mission to improve the health of our communities begins with our own employees.

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

Health Insurance Exchanges intended to Expand Coverage to Uninsured Texans

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

Texas leads the nation in the percentage of people who have no health insurance. The majority of uninsured Texans are hard-working people whose employers do not provide coverage. Those of us fortunate enough to have insurance pay for the cost of healthcare for the uninsured.

Part of the Affordable Care Act requires states to establish a Health Insurance Marketplace — also referred to as a Health Insurance Exchange. The Marketplace will offer small businesses and individuals multiple options for purchasing affordable health insurance.

The law requires individuals to have health insurance. This is similar in concept to the requirement in Texas that all drivers must have automobile insurance.

Although there are a few exceptions, individuals who do not purchase insurance will incur a penalty. Businesses with 50 or more employees that do not provide affordable insurance will also face a penalty.

So far, the state of Texas has declined to establish a state-run Health Insurance Marketplace. That means Texas will have a Marketplace operated by the federal government.

The Marketplace must be flexible enough to meet local needs, encourage private insurers to participate, and balance the pooling of risk and managing public subsidies.

Expanding health care coverage to more Texans will ultimately benefit all of us.

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

Expanding Primary Care Network Can Slow Growth Rate in Health Spending

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

A recent survey by PricewaterhouseCoopers shows that health spending has slowed significantly since 2009. The study projects that 2013 will be the fourth year in a row of relatively flat growth in health spending.

Medical cost containment strategies, the sluggish economy, and efforts by employers contributed to hold down health spending. Even with the flat growth, more than half of the 1,400 employers surveyed said they are considering increasing the share of health benefit costs paid by their employees.

The survey also cited new methods of primary care delivery as one factor that could hold down cost. For example, lower-cost primary care options such as workplace clinics are making an impact. Both employers and consumers see them as a convenient and cost-effective way to hold down cost.

As the economy strengthens, it is likely consumers will increase use of health services. That means we will need expanded access to primary care providers in convenient, cost-effective settings.

Texas Health is collaborating with physicians, employers and insurance companies to expand the primary care network and hold down cost. Together, we’re developing models of accountable care that offer physicians the tools and the support they need to manage their patient populations across the continuum of care.

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

Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index Shows Lag in Healthy Behaviors

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

Texas Health believes that people who experience higher overall well-being are healthier, contribute more to their communities and jobs, and have less financial impact on the health care system.

Texas Health and our strategic partner Healthways are working to enhance the well-being of individuals and communities. One of the measurements we’re using is the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index.

The well-being index is a composite score based on six domains of well-being that impact all parts of our lives. The domains reflect how we interact with our family and friends, how we perform at work, and how healthy we are physically.

The 2012 Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index shows that the D-FW Metroplex has some bright spots but also has lots of room for improvement.

The Index ranks D-FW 61st in overall well-being out of 189 major metropolitan areas across the country. Texas ranked 27th among the 50 states.

Texas Health and physicians are using this information to help people become healthier and improve overall well-being.

To learn more about the Well-Being Index and how to improve your own well-being, visit TexasHealth.org/wellbeing.

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

Texas Health Resources Receives Texas Award for Performance Excellence

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

Texas Health Resources was selected as one of two recipients of the 2013 Texas Award for Performance Excellence from Quality Texas Foundation. Texas Health was the only health care organization selected for this award. We’re also the largest health care organization to receive this award in its 20-year history.

This prestigious honor recognizes high performing organizations that use the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Criteria for Performance Excellence. State examiners visited each part of our organization to evaluate how well our employees demonstrate and standardize excellence across our system.

The award is a tribute to the hardworking employees, volunteers and physicians of Texas Health Resources. It confirms that we’re on the right path in our strategy to transform the delivery of care and become the provider of choice in North Texas.

And it recognizes Texas Health as a benchmark organization for our commitment to quality, learning and improvement on behalf of our patients.

Our next step is to apply what we learned from the state process to prepare for the national Baldrige program. We’re honored to receive the 2013 Texas Award for Performance Excellence. What’s most important, however, is that we’re making solid progress on our journey to deliver the best care with the highest patient satisfaction to North Texans.

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

Focusing on Body, Mind and Spirit to Improve Well-Being

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

As one of the largest faith-based health systems in the country, Texas Health is committed to caring for the whole person – body, mind and spirit. We are transforming from a hospital system that treats people when they are sick or injured to a health system that improves the health and overall well-being of individuals and entire communities.

Research has shown that people with higher well-being are healthier, their health benefits cost less, they are more productive, and they contribute more to their community.

In support of this philosophy, Texas Health recently teamed up with Cooper Aerobics Center at Craig Ranch in McKinney to offer integrative wellness services. The services will be provided by employees of Texas Health Springwood Hospital and Seay Behavioral Health Center from Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano.

The programs are designed to help ease pain, stress and improve emotional well-being.

Texas Health is also offering a simple online tool that encourages people to engage in one easy, healthy activity each day to improve overall well-being. The Daily Challenge promotes everyday well-being by encouraging small actions and fostering social interactions that drive meaningful change. Visit TexasHealth.org/WellBeing to learn more.

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

Lowering Health Benefit Costs by Improving Employee Health Management

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

According to the National Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Plans conducted by Mercer in 2012, most employers remain committed to offering health coverage to their employees. The percentage of employers offering health coverage actually increased by 4 percent in 2012 from 55 percent to 59 percent.

To help control the cost of health spending, employers are increasing the use of Consumer Directed Health Plans that include some combination of higher deductibles and health savings accounts.

The top long-term strategy for improving health and controlling spending focuses on managing the overall health of their employees. The survey said that 78 percent of large employers support the use of health management programs to encourage healthier behaviors.

Texas Health and our strategic partner Healthways are on the forefront in helping employers and payers develop innovative health management programs. We are collaborating with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas and Aetna to develop accountable care models based on the science of physician-directed population health management. Together we will change the way people think and act about their health. That is the only effective way to bend the cost curve in a positive direction.

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

Aligning the Interests of Patients, Physicians, Employers and Payers

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

According to a recent international survey of primary care physicians by The Commonwealth Fund, the U.S. performed poorly on access to care compared to 9 other developed countries. According to the survey, many doctors in the U.S. say they don’t always have the patient information they need on a timely basis, and they spend too much time dealing with insurance companies. Almost 60 percent of the doctors said their patients often cannot afford care.

In every country surveyed, physicians said that communication and teamwork across the healthcare system is a challenge.

Texas Health is working to address these and other challenges by aligning the interests of patients, physicians, employers and payers. We are shifting the model of care toward one of physician-directed population health management that emphasizes keeping people healthy and out of the hospital.

We are implementing physician-directed population health models with Texas Health Physicians Group and with independent physician practices across North Texas.

Working side by side with our partners and collaborators, Texas Health is aligning all parts of the care team to manage and coordinate care across the continuum to enhance well-being, lower costs and help physicians better manage their patients’ health.

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

Expanding Medical Coverage Benefits Texas Business

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

A recent survey of consumers and business people across Texas asked them to name the top issues they want the Texas legislature to address. Forty-three percent of the people said, “creating jobs.” Thirty-one percent said, “maintaining access to healthcare.”

Texas Health is working on both of those issues.

Texas Health Resources and other health systems in DFW are major economic drivers, providing more than 237,000 jobs in the DFW area and generating more than $12 billion in economic impact.

Private hospitals like those in Texas Health also provide access to healthcare for a majority of people in North Texas, including uninsured workers who do not have employer-sponsored coverage.

We must find ways to expand coverage to the working uninsured and provide access to care for all workers. Expanding coverage to care for workers could benefit small businesses that cannot afford to offer coverage by helping their employees return to work faster, stay healthier and be more productive. It could also help larger employers by lowering their health benefit costs because they indirectly subsidize those who receive care but have no means to pay.

Texas Health will continue working with employers and policy makers to expand coverage to improve overall well-being and lower healthcare benefits costs.

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

What is an Accountable Care Organization?

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

Early in 2012, Texas Health launched our first Accountable Care Organization — an A-C-O for short. That first ACO was a collaborative with North Texas Specialty Physicians. We were among 32 health systems in the country accepted as part of the federal Pioneer ACO program.

In January 2013, we announced two additional ACOs, one with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas and another with Aetna.

An ACO is a structure that closely aligns hospitals, physicians, employers and payers around the health needs of the individual. There are different models with different financial incentives, but all have similar goals to improve health and lower costs.

Through these collaborative efforts, we are moving forward with our commitment to transform from a fee-for-service model to a value based model on patient outcomes and coordinated care.

Primary care physicians serve as the decision makers and guides for each patient in the ACO. Texas Health is working with our strategic partner Healthways to equip doctors with the right information and toolsets that will help them deliver better and more cost-effective care to their patients.

Together we are transforming our organization from one that focuses on taking care of sick people to a new model of accountable care designed to keep people healthy.

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

Texas Health and Cancer Support Communities Collaborating to Serve Families

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

Cancer affects more people than just the person diagnosed with the disease. It also affects their family and friends. The Texas Health Resources philosophy of treating the whole individual — body, mind and spirit — recognizes the emotional, spiritual, family and social impact of illness.

To enhance support for patients with cancer, Texas Health has formed an alliance with Cancer Support Community North Texas. We’re collaborating to provide expanded social and emotional support services for patients and families who are dealing with cancer. We will bring together like-minded organizations in an environment that fosters collaboration and encompasses the whole spectrum of needs.

Initial plans for expanded services include facilities on the campuses of Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Allen and Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Alliance.

Our goal is to couple advanced medical treatment with compassionate, respectful care for the whole patient and for those who love and support the patient.

Texas Health and Cancer Support Community share similar values that focus on every patient as a unique individual. We deeply appreciate the dedication that members of Cancer Support Community bring to this relationship.

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

Building Bridges to the Future of Healthcare Delivery

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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.

Delivering On Our Promise to Improve Care Coordination (Part 2)

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

The healthcare system in our country has developed over time in silos, with different parts of the care team sometimes disconnected from one another. Texas Health is exploring new ways to break down the silos and collaborate across the entire continuum of care. Our goal is to improve health before people end up in the hospital, coordinate care if they do enter a hospital, and enhance follow-up care after they leave the hospital.

The Transitions Care initiative being implemented in several Texas Health hospitals is part of our overall strategy to integrate health services and help patients navigate through the complex environment of care.

Effective coordination of care after the patient is discharged can improve quality and patient safety, lower cost, improve patient outcomes and help prevent costly readmissions.

The Transitions Care program identifies patients who are most at-risk for readmissions, and aligns inpatient and post-hospital care teams around the patient’s needs. It also involves the patient’s primary care provider to facilitate monitoring and timely interventions.

Texas Health is working with Healthways, one of the largest independent providers of well-being improvement solutions, to implement the Transitions Care program. We’re also working together to develop an infrastructure that directs individuals with chronic diseases to the appropriate interventions.

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

Delivering On Our Promise to Improve Care Coordination (Part 1)

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

Diabetes is a critical factor underlying the continuing increase in the cost of healthcare in the U.S. Texas Health is attacking this problem on several fronts, including community-based education, patient awareness, advanced treatment capabilities and improved coordination of care, both inside and outside the hospital.

Diabetes is often not the primary reason a person enters the hospital but it is a critical factor in determining the course of treatment and outcomes for the patient. Texas Health is implementing a consistent system-wide approach to optimize the care of in-patients with diabetes and improve coordination of care after the patient is discharged.

Critical elements of diabetes care coordination include identifying patients who have diabetes, and aligning in-hospital and post-hospital providers around the patient’s needs. It also involves the patient’s primary care provider to facilitate ongoing monitoring and appropriate interventions.

Physicians, nurses and others on the care team are working together to launch the diabetes care coordination initiative at five Texas Health hospitals in Dallas, Plano, Arlington, HEB and Fort Worth.

Our ultimate goals are to improve health outcomes for patients with diabetes, reduce their frequency of readmission to our hospitals, and establish Texas Health as the preeminent place to go for diabetes care, education and support.

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

Small Daily Steps Can Make Big Changes in Personal Health

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

Research has shown that simple activities done each day can make big changes in our personal health and well-being. Texas Health recently introduced an online tool that will help employers encourage their employees to engage in one easy, healthy activity each day. Individuals can also sign up to use these tools by visiting TexasHealth.org/WellBeing. Just click on the tab labeled “Daily Challenge.”

People who sign up will receive a daily email with a very simple challenge for the day. For example, a recent challenge was — “Improve muscle flexibility in your legs and backside by sitting and stretching in an L-shape.”

That’s it. Complete the challenge, click on a link in the email that says “Done,” and briefly share your thoughts on-line with your personal community of daily challenge friends.

These simple daily activities promote well-being by encouraging small actions and fostering social communities that support participation and reinforce accountability. This process has been proven to lead to meaningful and measureable improvements in several dimensions of well-being.

I encourage you to visit TexasHealth.org/WellBeing and learn more about how you can improve your well-being in six dimensions, ranging from physical health to how you evaluate your life in general.

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

Reimbursement Must Follow The Patient

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

The 83rd Texas Legislature is dealing with many tough challenges to balance increasing demand for services with the reality of budgets.

Texas has a rapidly growing and aging population. One of the toughest challenges we face is the need to provide adequate health services for the most vulnerable among us — children, pregnant women, people with disabilities, and the indigent elderly. Those are the people that Medicaid is intended to help. We must make sure that the state’s Medicaid program is adequately funded and that the funds are going to where the patients are being treated.

Medicaid is the joint state–federal program that provides a safety net of care for those who have no other means to access health services. Changes in the state’s Medicaid program threaten the viability of the safety net.

Private hospitals in Texas — such as those in the Texas Health Resources system — currently provide the lion’s share of care to Medicaid patients. If Medicaid reimbursement to private hospitals is significantly reduced, the publicly-funded hospitals — Parkland in Dallas and JPS in Fort Worth — could be overwhelmed with Medicaid patients who have nowhere else to turn.

Texas Health is working diligently with legislators, regulators and other health systems to strengthen the healthcare safety net by ensuring that reimbursement follows the patient. That is the only way providers can continue to fulfill their critical role in caring for the most vulnerable Texans.

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

Strengthening the Safety Net Strengthens Every Business, Every Community

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

The Texas Health Resources system provided more than $227 million in charity care in 2011. Private, non-profit health systems — including Texas Health, Baylor Health Care System, and Methodist Health System of Dallas — provide more than 50 percent of the care for indigent patients in North Texas. We are critical parts of the safety net that also includes the public hospitals, Parkland Health System in Dallas County and JPS Health Network in Tarrant County.

Even with the potential expansion of Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act, almost two million Texans could remain uninsured, and it could be more.

You may have heard about the state’s Medicaid 1115 Waiver and thought, “That has nothing to do with my business.” Actually, it does impact your business, because employers who provide insurance coverage pay indirectly for the care of those without insurance.

While discussions on the Medicaid waiver are ongoing, we’re optimistic. The waiver offers the opportunity for public hospitals and other health systems to collaborate in developing regional plans that enhance flexibility in delivering health services to patients eligible for Medicaid. If more of the uninsured could obtain care through Medicaid, the impact on employer-sponsored insurance could be reduced.

That is why strengthening the healthcare safety net strengthens every business and every community in North Texas.

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

Texas Health is Collaborating With Employers to Enhance Employee Well-Being

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

As one of the largest employers in the Metroplex, Texas Health knows that providing health benefits for employees is a significant cost of doing business. We have spent 10 years developing effective programs that help our own employees improve their health and lower healthcare costs. The National Business Group on Health recently recognized our efforts by naming Texas Health one of the nation’s Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles.

Now we’re taking what we’ve learned as an employer and combining that with innovative ideas from Healthways to help other employers improve the health and overall well-being of their employees. Effective employee health initiatives can include a wide range of programs from data-driven interventions to very simple activities.

We’re providing data collection and analysis tools that have the potential to enable employers to identify health risks that are prevalent in their employee population before they become serious issues. The employer can then work with physicians and other health professionals to develop education, prevention and early intervention programs.

On the simple end, research has shown that one easy, healthy activity each day can have a measureable impact on improving a person’s overall well-being. Texas Health will soon promote an online tool — the first available in the Dallas-Fort Worth market — that will help employers encourage their employees to engage in one easy, healthy activity each day. Listen for more information coming in February.

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

Employers Can Influence Legislature on Prioritizing Healthcare Needs

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

The 83rd Texas Legislature convenes this month, and the 113th Congress also begins its work in Washington, D.C. Both will confront significant challenges about healthcare that will impact business and the economy in Texas.

I urge all employers to make your voices heard as policy-makers address critical healthcare issues. The debate over the Affordable Care Act continues. In Texas, one of the challenges will be implementation of health insurance exchanges required by the federal law.

The exchanges should be flexible enough to address local needs and encourage private insurers to participate. They will also balance the key objectives of pooling risk and managing public subsidies.

We also believe the Texas Department of Insurance needs greater regulatory authority to enable more employers and insurance carriers to provide affordable health care coverage. Health plans should also develop and maintain adequate networks of physicians and other providers to reduce consumers’ out-of-pocket costs.

Another challenge for Texas is that we rank fifth from the bottom in the ratio of physicians to residents. We urge employers to support legislation to enhance funding for educational programs to reduce the shortage of physicians, nurses and allied health professionals.

Make your voice heard, and together we can improve the health of the people in the communities we serve.

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

Looking Back at Accomplishments in 2012, Moving Ahead in 2013

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

Texas Health Resources accomplished much in 2012. In spite of all the debate and uncertainty around health care policy for much of the year, medical staff physicians and our employees remained focused on our mission — to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve.

Texas Health acted on our conviction that the most effective reform will happen at the local level. Through collaboration with physicians, employers, payers and other health systems, we began to expand the focus beyond caring for people when they are ill to also helping people stay healthy.

In 2012, for example, we began work with Healthways to provide physicians and patients with tools and processes to help them better manage health. Texas Health also partnered with Methodist Health System and LHC Group to better manage the transition from hospital to home care.

In 2013, we’ll continue transforming health care as we begin implementing a new care transitions program to coordinate post-acute care and reduce readmissions. We’ll also launch a new comprehensive diabetes management initiative to help turn the tide on this growing disease.

Working with employers, we’ll develop innovative ways to help improve their employees’ health and reduce costs.

We believe 2013 will indeed be a Happy New Year!

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

New Year’s Resolutions and Our Daily Challenges to Stay Healthy

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

One year ago on this program, I told you that Texas Health is on a transformational journey to better meet your healthcare needs today and tomorrow. That was one of our New Year’s resolutions.

Our goal is to help people live healthier lives and stay out of the hospital. The hospitals and advanced medical technology will still be here when you need them, but our mission is to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve. Texas Health has launched a multi-pronged effort to change the way people think and act about their health, because that is the most effective way to improve health.

I challenge you to do one simple thing each day to change how you think and act about health. Small, incremental changes often make the most difference.

For example, if you don’t get regular exercise, take a quick walk around the block. If you eat out four times a week, trim that to three. Swap out the donuts for fresh fruit and bagels at morning staff meetings.

To help you make simple changes, Texas Health will soon sponsor a free online tool designed to encourage and support individuals to make one small, healthy change each day.

Listen for more information coming in February.

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

Strengthening Our Communities Through Service

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

Service to our fellow North Texans is what Texas Health Resources is all about. Along with providing high-quality health care, we also believe that service means individuals going beyond the walls of our hospitals and clinics, giving of ourselves to strengthen our communities. Whether it is financial support or our most crucial resource — time — our employees have a passion for giving back to their communities.

We recently celebrated our system’s 15th anniversary by challenging employees to give fifteen-hundred hours of community service in a two-and-a-half month period. They met the goal through participation in more than 100 service projects across North Texas. This labor of love focused on some of our communities’ greatest needs, such as health and wellness, hunger, homelessness and youth development.

Employees swinging hammers, collecting and packing food and reading to students are part of the Texas Health culture. We support employee service through our Community Time Off program that offers employees paid time off to provide community service at qualified non-profit organizations.

Including the 15th anniversary celebration efforts, Texas Health employees contributed more than 4,500 hours of community service by the end of October, surpassing last year’s total with two months left in the year.

We are honored to help strengthen our communities through service outside our hospital walls.

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

Celebrating Faith, Compassion and Inclusion at Texas Health

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

Texas Health Resources is making health care human again. Patients and their families want care that encompasses not just the body, but also the mind and spirit. That is why we celebrate traits such as faith, compassion and inclusion among our more than 21,000 employees.

Like most businesses, we are a diverse organization that serves an increasingly diverse population. Our employees are multicultural, multilingual and represent a multitude of faiths. They reflect the wondrous mosaic of people in North Texas.

Our organizational culture encourages employees to bring their uniqueness, creativity and compassion to work. Staff members thrive on contributing to an organization that provides excellent, personalized care to individual patients.

Our recent employee survey confirmed why our employees earn patient trust. Almost 97 percent of our employees said their work is meaningful, and 93 percent are satisfied with their jobs. Happy employees who are recognized as unique, valued human beings demonstrate those feelings to patients and their families.

That is one of the reasons Texas Health has been recognized as one of the best places to work.

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

Encourage Employees to Do Something Healthy Each Day

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

You may have heard me say this before, but it is worth repeating. Companies in the Dallas-Fort Worth area suffer an estimated $17 billion loss in productivity each year due to employee health problems. That is a huge impact.

Personal health behaviors influence 50 to 70 percent of an individual’s health, yet we spend only 4 percent of our health dollars to impact behaviors. Employers can have a major influence on their employees’ personal behaviors, and that could make an impact on improving this situation.

One approach that has been proven to be effective is to encourage employees to engage in one simple, healthy activity each day. It can be as simple as flexing your feet while sitting at your desk, or taking one minute for a breathing exercise.

Research has shown that such simple activities can have a measureable impact on improving a person’s overall well-being. People with higher well-being are healthier, happier, contribute more to their communities and jobs, and have lower healthcare costs.

Texas Health will soon promote an online tool that will help employers encourage and support their employees to engage in one easy, healthy activity each day. Listen for more information coming in February.

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

Recognition and Thankfulness Impact Employee Engagement

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

As we celebrate Thanksgiving, I want to give special thanks to the people of Texas Health Resources for making our organization one of the Best Places to Work in 2012, according to the Dallas Business Journal.

Being recognized as a Best Place to Work tells us that our employees are highly-engaged. Employment engagement is critical to the success of every business. It impacts customer satisfaction as well as the quality of the products and services a company provides.

Creating a positive work environment is a critical factor in employee engagement and the overall well-being of people in our organization. As one of the largest employers in North Texas, we have learned that employee recognition and a simple “thank you” can have a very positive impact on enhancing employee engagement and satisfaction.

We strive to make “thanks-giving” a part of every day by recognizing the good work that our employees and co-workers do. Texas Health is proud of our recognition program through which employees at every level can honor their co-workers with items ranging from digital singing cards to special reward certificates.

Expressing and giving thanks is one way we demonstrate our pledge of “Healing hands, caring hearts” every day of the year.

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

Helping Employees Deal With Holiday Stress

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

The holiday season is in full swing. For many people, a lot of added stress accompanies the joy of celebrating with friends and family. Employers can help their people deal with this added stress and maintain a positive, productive attitude in the workplace.

Stress in today’s fast-paced world is unavoidable, but it is manageable. Here are a few tips for dealing with stress from the Centers for Disease Control.

Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. Get plenty of sleep. Try to exercise regularly, and avoid using alcohol or drugs as a stress-reliever.
This is a great time of year to reach out and help a co-worker or a neighbor, or volunteer for a community service project.
Connect socially. Make an effort to spend time with friends and family, or attend community and religious events where you can interact with others.

This is the time of year when it’s make-or-break for many businesses, and employees know that. Rather than adding to the stress, we as business leaders can help our employees maintain a positive perspective in the frenzied, retail-focused atmosphere of the holiday season.

I encourage you to share these stress-management tips with your employees and co-workers. Reach out, and help someone enjoy this wonderful time of the year.

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

Advancement Requires a Guidepost, Not a Hitching Post

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

Texas Health Resources recently passed a significant milestone and celebrated its 15th anniversary as an integrated health care system. Under the Texas Health banner, Presbyterian, Harris Methodist and Arlington Memorial hospitals have made great progress in changing the way health care is delivered in North Texas. Recently, Huguley Memorial Medical Center joined the Texas Health family.

As we continue to advance our mission to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve, each of the milestones we pass is a guidepost — not a hitching post. Our journey of improving health will never end — we will not hitch our wagon and stop where we are. We will move on toward the next guidepost.

One of the guideposts in the year ahead will be the introduction of science-based tools designed to help physicians manage the health of their population of patients and keep people healthier.

Another guidepost will be to inspire change in the way people think and act about their own health. Changing behaviors is the only way we can improve health and bend the cost curve of healthcare away from its upward trajectory. In the next few months, we’ll present several ways you can join us on this journey — whether you are an employer, physician, community leader or consumer.

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

Texas Health Physicians Group Practices Becoming Patient Centered Medical Homes

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

Texas Health and physicians across North Texas are collaborating to strengthen the primary care network and improve the quality of care. One part of this effort with both independent physicians and

Texas Health Physicians Group is the development of Patient Centered Medical Homes. A Patient Centered Medical Home is an innovative program following standards set forth by the National Committee for Quality Assurance. NCQA is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of health care.

In the last year, Texas Health Physicians Group has assisted more than a dozen physician practices in becoming recognized as medical homes, and several more are nearing recognition. Our ultimate goal is to build “medical neighborhoods” throughout North Texas, integrating Patient Centered Medical Homes and specialty practices that meet NCQA recognition standards.

A Patient Centered Medical Home is a health care setting that facilitates partnerships between patients and their personal physicians, and often involves the patient’s family as well. It provides a team approach to care, using evidence-based care guidelines, supports the patient and family in self-care, and measures results for continuous improvement.

A strong primary care network is critical to fulfilling our mission to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve.

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

Texas Health is Building 'Continuum of Care' Through Partnerships

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

As we near the end of the election season, I want to reassure you that no matter who is elected, Texas Health will continue to move forward with the health care reform strategy that we began almost five years ago.

Texas Health will continue to focus on patients’ needs. We will strive to deliver greater value through improved patient outcomes, better service and lower cost. To do that, Texas Health is transforming from a hospital system to a health system.

I’d like to recap some of the collaborative efforts we’re undertaking to integrate different parts of the care continuum.

In August, we began implementing a joint venture with Methodist Health System and LHC Group to coordinate home health care and reduce readmissions.

We’re also working with North Texas Specialty Physicians on the Plus Accountable Care Organization, and with UT Southwestern Medical Center on research and medical education initiatives.

We recently began implementing programs with Healthways to apply their science-based tools to help physicians manage and improve the health of their patient populations.

Together, these and other collaborative efforts at the local level can drive meaningful changes that will improve the health and well-being of the people in the communities we serve.

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

Concussion Awareness a Vital Part of Keeping Athletes Healthy

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

This time of year students across North Texas are participating in athletic contests at every level from middle school through college. Many contests expose young athletes to the danger of concussion injury, especially if they’re playing football or soccer.

Texas Health Ben Hogan Sports Medicine is helping athletes, trainers and coaches across North Texas understand, diagnose and treat concussions. In August, we opened two new outpatient concussion centers on the campuses of Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas and Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth. The centers are the only dedicated, multi-disciplinary sports concussion clinics in North Texas.

Research has shown that athletes need adequate rest from physical activities and some forms of mental stimulation to allow the brain to recover from concussion.

A team of physicians, neuropsychologists and certified athletic trainers evaluate each athlete and develop plans for academic and athletic reintegration. They prescribe treatment and keep a close watch on the students through the recovery process to help them heal so they can go back to competition when they are truly ready.

Our mission is to improve the health of the communities we serve, and that includes educating and protecting our young students who are the future leaders of our communities.

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

Texas Health Harris Methodist Alliance Opens to Serve North Tarrant County

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

Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Alliance opened in September as our newest wholly-owned, full-service hospital. It was planned and designed with the future of health care in mind, along with the goal of becoming a community health partner that focuses on keeping people well.

Before building the hospital, we gathered input from a variety of local sources — from physicians to homeowner’s associations to patient focus groups.

The thoughtful design of the hospital improves communication among the physicians, staff and patients. We believe the end result will be an enhanced patient experience.

As part of our commitment to helping people stay healthy, the hospital offers business health services designed to help employers meet the unique needs of their employees, with services such as wellness programs, and educational classes for the community.

In one technological innovation, RTLS technology — that is, Real-Time Locating System — is integrated with the hospital’s communication systems and electronic medical record. RTLS tracks patients, staff, and equipment to free caregivers to spend more time with patients. Other technology enables patients to involve family members in their own care through an interactive television.

Texas Health Alliance is truly a facility built by the community, for the community.

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

Texas Health Resources Moving Forward With Well-Being Improvement

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

I’d like to share some interesting statistics with you. Companies in the Dallas-Fort Worth area suffer an estimated $17 billion loss in productivity each year due to employee health problems. Health behaviors influence 50 to 70 percent of an individual’s health, yet we spend only 4 percent of our health dollars to impact behaviors.

Last April, we announced a landmark agreement with Healthways, one of the pioneers in using evidence-based tools and methods to enhance the well-being of individuals and communities. Together, we are developing what is needed to connect people to their own health, connect people to their doctors, and connect people within their communities.

According to the Gallup-Healthways® Well-Being Index in 2011, the Dallas–Fort Worth area scored 67.9. The country’s top-rated metropolitan area scored 72.9. Clearly, we have some work to do to improving well-being in North Texas.

Research tells us that a 1 percent increase in the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index® of a community can result in a 2 percent decrease in hospital admissions and a 1 percent decrease in the amount the community spends on health care overall.

Over the next few months, I’ll share with you what we’re doing to improve the well-being of the people of North Texas.

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

Effective Reform Will Happen Through Local Collaboration

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

The dust is settling now that the Supreme Court upheld the healthcare reform law. I’d like to share some thoughts on what it means for Texas. I continue to believe that the most effective health care reform will happen through collaboration at the local level among health systems, physicians, employers, payers and policy makers. When we set aside politics, we can collaborate on solutions that will meet the health needs of all our people.

Twenty-seven percent of the Texas population — more than one in four people — do not have medical insurance. In North Texas, that figure hits 30 percent. 1.2 million children in Texas have no medical insurance. Forty percent of mothers-to-be in Texas do not receive appropriate prenatal care because they lack insurance. That in turn increases the number of babies who end up in neonatal intensive care units, which can be very expensive.

Since the Supreme Court ruling, state executive and legislative leaders have gone on record stating that Texas will not expand Medicaid coverage. If this is the case, it is imperative that our elected officials develop policies and programs that help communities address the growing number of Texans who lack appropriate access to primary care and insurance coverage. This is a critical issue that cannot be ignored.

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

Texas Health Resources Celebrates 15th Anniversary (Part 2)

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

In August of 1997 — only 15 short years ago — Presbyterian Healthcare Resources, Harris Methodist Health System and Arlington Memorial Hospital came together as Texas Health Resources.

We’re proud of the strides we’ve made in fulfilling our mission to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve. We’re humbled by the trust and support you, the people of our communities, have given to us.

The flagship hospital of Harris Methodist was founded in Fort Worth in 1930. Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas opened in 1966. Arlington Memorial Hospital began its service in 1958.

Together, we are the largest health system in North Texas in terms of patients served. Including our joint ventures and other affiliated organizations, Texas Health comprises more than 22,500 people, 25 hospitals, 18 outpatient facilities and more than 250 other community access points.

Our mission to improve the health of people in the communities we serve means more than just treating sick people. It means investing in innovative ways to improve overall well-being, to help people lead healthier lives and stay out of the hospital.

We are grateful for your support of Texas Health Resources in our first 15 outstanding years. I look forward to sharing more details of our progress with you in the coming weeks.

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

Texas Health Resources Celebrates 15th Anniversary (Part 1)

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

Fifteen years ago this month Presbyterian Healthcare Resources, Harris Methodist Health System and Arlington Memorial Hospital came together as Texas Health Resources.

Through the years the system has expanded and aligned with key stakeholders under the mission statement — “To improve the health of the people in the communities we serve.”

In 15 short years we have invested hundreds of millions of dollars back into the communities we serve, expanding our ability to meet the health needs of a rapidly growing population.

The people of Texas Health have delivered more than 385,000 babies during the last 15 years. That’s more than the entire population of our headquarters city of Arlington.

In 15 years, we’ve treated more than 7.5 million emergency room patients. We’ve also grown to be the largest health system in North Texas in terms of patients served. Approximately one in four North Texas residents seeking hospital care is treated at a Texas Health facility.

This is just the beginning. We’re on a journey to change the way people think and act about their own health. That is the only way to reform healthcare and bend the cost curve away from its upward trajectory. Working with physicians, payers, employers and other providers, we’ll build on the progress we have made in the first 15 years.

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

Texas Health Participating in Joint Commission Center for Transforming Healthcare

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

Texas Health has committed itself to using evidence-based approaches to continuously improve quality, patient safety and well-being across North Texas. One of the initiatives we launched in June is our participation in the Joint Commission Center for Transforming Healthcare.

Texas Health was invited by the Center to join an exclusive group of some of the nation’s leading health systems that collaborate to solve critical issues of quality and patient safety.

Since the founding of Texas Health Resources 15 years ago, we have been at the forefront in collaborating with other health care organizations to transform the delivery of health services. For example, we were an early participant in the Hospital Quality Incentive Demonstration , sponsored by Premier and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. That project helped define evidence-based standards for measuring quality.

Last April we announced a 10-year strategic commitment to work with Healthways to shift the model of care toward one that emphasizes keeping people healthy and out of the hospital. Once again, Texas Health is applying evidence-based methods and scientifically-valid measures to help physicians improve the physical health of their patients and enhance overall well-being.

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

Integrating Our Faith-Based Heritage Into Our Work

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

The people of Texas Health Resources are proud of our faith-based heritage and philosophy of caring for the whole individual — body, mind and spirit. Our faith-based heritage is at the center of everything we do at Texas Health.

We are committed to ensuring that the faith-based legacy of our health system is not simply a part of our hospitals’ names. It is integral to our efforts to improve the well-being of each person we serve. Taking care of spiritual needs impacts three key areas of well-being — emotional health, physical health and how we feel about our lives in general.

In addition to quality medical care, we provide spiritual care services to patients, their family members, hospital employees and medical staff members.

We have outstanding chaplains at each wholly-owned Texas Health hospital. They offer compassion, encouragement and a pastoral presence to patients and their families. Each hospital has a chapel or an area dedicated for prayer, quiet time and worship. Many of our facilities have a meditation garden for personal reflection. We also offer a booklet of prayers from various faith traditions.

Our faith-based heritage is at the heart of Texas Health as we care for the whole individual — body, mind and spirit — to improve the well-being of our patients and one another.

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

Population Health Management is About Redesigning the Process of Care

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

Texas Health has been talking a lot recently about population health management. At its core, this is about redesigning processes in physicians’ offices and hospitals, and linking those processes together to provide a coordinated continuum of care and change the way people think about their health.

Primary care physicians typically spend most of their day responding to whatever problems their patients present.

The physician’s entire panel of patients could be as many as 4,000. Within that are populations who have a variety of chronic illnesses. There are others who are healthy and just need some help in maintenance along the way.

What would it be like if the physician could identify which 200 of their 4,000 patients are diabetics, or which 300 are at high risk of developing congestive heart failure?

Instead of just reacting to a problem, the physician could interact with the patient on a more regular basis, before problems become serious. The physician could manage that patient much more closely and not wait for the patient to show up in their waiting room with a problem.

That is part of what we call the “redesign of care.” Working with physicians, Texas Health is redesigning care to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve.

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

Coordinating Home Health Services is Vital to Improved Outcomes

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

Just over a year ago, Texas Health Resources and Methodist Health System of Dallas agreed to seek collaborative opportunities to improve health care services for the people of North Texas.

As we began working together, both organizations realized that quality, coordinated post-acute care services are one of the keys to improving outcomes for patients, reducing readmissions and controlling costs.

We recently announced the formation of a joint venture of Texas Health, Methodist Health System and LHC Group that will provide home health and other post-acute care services for patients of both health systems. Working together, Texas Health and Methodist Health System identified LHC Group as an organization with values similar to our own and a dedication to quality, physician-involved care.

This partnership is intended to create a stable, quality, high-integrity home health agency that operates according to high ethical and clinical quality standards. The services will operate under two names — Texas Health HomeCare and Methodist HomeCare.

Texas Health is committed to coordination across the continuum of access points for health services, whether we own the service or partner with another organization. Working closely with physicians, this partnership will provide better coordination of care to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve.

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

Exploring New Ways to Coordinate Across the Continuum of Care

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

Texas Health is exploring new ways to improve health before people end up in the hospital and after they leave the acute-care hospital. The health system in our country has developed over time in silos. And we have not had very good connections horizontally across all those silos.

We are expanding our ability to collaborate and coordinate health services across the continuum of care. That does not mean we will always own every piece across the continuum. We are creating relationships with other organizations for prevention, wellness and education, as well as post-acute care such as rehabilitation, long-term care, home health care and hospice.

We’re also working to tie the pieces together through information systems that can connect across our organization and to the information systems of other providers.

In the past, patient information was held in unconnected silos. That often meant the patient had duplicate tests, and their specialist might not have the same information as their primary care physician. Our ultimate goal is to securely share patient medical information and make it accessible to their caregivers quickly and accurately, wherever they are.

Effective reform of the health care system will come from this type of collaboration and teamwork at the local and regional level.

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

Controlling the Cost of Care

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

Inpatient hospital care in Dallas–Fort Worth costs 10 percent less than the national average, according to our analysis of data from the Institute of Medicine. So why do we keep hearing that D-FW is a high-cost area for health care?

Part of the answer is that post-acute care services drive the largest share of costs above the national average. Home health services are 240 percent compared to the national average, long term care is 300 percent and hospice care is 150 percent of the national average.

The problem comes from a lack of coordination across the continuum of services. Texas Health is working with physicians, employers, payers and other health systems to coordinate services across the continuum and bend the cost curve.

We recently announced a partnership with LHC Group and Methodist Health System of Dallas for coordinated home health services.

Texas Health is also strengthening the role of primary care physicians by offering data-gathering and analysis tools that enable them to develop ongoing, proactive relationships with their patients. We believe this will help them manage their population of patients more efficiently and intervene before health issues become serious. They will be better equipped to provide the right services at the right time in the right place.

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

Employee Wellness is Year-Round Focus

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

June was National Employee Wellness Month, an initiative designed to help business leaders learn from best practices to engage employees in healthy behavior and reduce health care costs.

Texas Health focuses on the wellness of our employees each and every day, all year long. One of our goals is to help other forward-thinking organizations do the same. We intend to leverage the powerful role the workplace can play in helping employees make healthy behavior changes.

For example, Texas Health sponsors frequent, good-natured competition among our employees to take more steps, exercise more minutes and lose more weight than their peers. It’s a fun, interactive event among co-workers that encourages our employees to get healthy and stay healthy.

Our employees also can attend convenient on-site Weight Watchers meetings at no cost to them if they attend 10 of 13 meetings in the series. We have some amazing success stories of employees who have lost lots of weight, gotten off of blood pressure and cholesterol medication, have more energy, and are just plain happier.

These are only a few examples of how Texas Health is changing the way people think about their own health. Starting with our own organization, we are improving the health of the people in the communities we serve.

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

Effective Health Care Reform Will Happen at the Local Level

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

As you know, the Supreme Court of the United States announced its decision June 28 on legal challenges to the Affordable Care Act. The court, in essence, affirmed the law as passed by Congress.

Now there is some degree of certainty, but we expect there will continue to be challenges to the legislation, and we will work with others to improve the law.

As I have said before, the most effective health care reform will happen through collaboration at the local level among health systems, physicians, employers and payers.

No matter what happens in Washington, D.C., Texas Health is moving forward with the transformation strategy we began implementing years before the Affordable Care Act passed.

We must inspire change in the way people think about their own health. That is the only way we can improve the health of our people, reform health care and bend the cost curve of health care away from its upward trajectory. We're working in several areas with physicians and other health systems to strengthen the primary care network across the continuum of health needs and keep people out of the hospital.

The changes we must make will not happen overnight. But if employers, payers, physicians and health systems work together, we can begin to drive meaningful, lasting changes that will improve the health and well-being of the people in the communities we serve.

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

Community Health Improvement Programs Reach Beyond Hospitals

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

Texas Health believes that our mission to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve involves more than caring for patients in our hospitals. We reach out into the community with education and services that help people stay healthy and improve their overall well-being.

Two of the programs we support address the health and safety of children.

For several years, we have supported the Child Automobile Safety Initiative that includes child car-seat safety checks and installation. This is a comprehensive program that educates people about child passenger safety and the risk of injury from motor vehicle collisions.

Texas Health collaborates on another initiative — the Healthy Zone Schools program — with the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, The Cooper Institute and the Texas Education Agency. This program utilizes evidence-based knowledge and best practices to help schools create an environment that promotes healthy behaviors. Texas Health is assisting in the development of training curriculum and materials to support Healthy Zone Schools.

Texas Health believes that healthy people are happier, enhance the well-being of their families, contribute more to their communities and jobs, and have less financial impact on the health care system. We’re committed to helping people develop healthy behaviors early in life and maintain them throughout life.

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

Gender-Based Medicine and Population Health Management

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

Did you know that the symptoms of a heart attack can be very different between men and women? Men will frequently experience the classic chest pain, but in women a heart attack can involve shortness of breath, dizziness, lightheadedness or even fainting.

This is one of many examples that illustrate the need for medical professionals to have a keen awareness of gender-based differences in their patients.

To help physicians become more attuned to these differences, Texas Health Resources has collaborated with the Laura W. Bush Institute for Women’s Health to offer gender-specific, continuing-education programs. The Laura W. Bush Institute for Women’s Health is part of Texas Tech University’s Health Sciences Center.

The collaboration will also include research projects, where Texas Health and the Laura Bush Institute will work together to identify additional gender-based differences in medicine. We believe such education and research programs can help physicians develop more individualized care plans for their patients and improve outcomes and overall well-being.

Texas Health is taking a leading role in facilitating physician-directed population health management initiatives. By helping identify the health needs of certain segments of our communities, Texas Health is helping physicians deliver the right service, at the right time and in the right place.

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

Huguley Memorial Medical Center Joins Texas Health Resources Family

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

Texas Health Resources is privileged to welcome Huguley Memorial Medical Center in south Fort Worth to the Texas Health family. Texas Health and Adventist Health System, the parent company of Huguley Memorial Medical Center, formed a joint venture company that owns and manages the hospital.

This partnership allows our two organizations to better serve the people of south Tarrant County, Johnson County and Ellis County. Both Texas Health and Adventist Health System have strong foundations as faith-based, non-profit health systems that are dedicated to improving health in the communities we serve. Given today’s challenging health care environment, it makes sense for us to look for opportunities to collaborate with other health systems to improve the health of our communities.

By joining together, Texas Health and Huguley will improve coordination of care delivery along the south I-35W corridor. This new partnership will be a great benefit to our communities, physicians, employees and patients as we combine resources and talents to reach more people in need. We are coordinating across the entire continuum of care — from wellness, prevention and primary care through acute care in the hospital and post-acute care — to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve.

We’re proud to welcome the people of Huguley Memorial Medical Center to our family.

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

Cancer Survivors' Day Reaffirms Life

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

June 3 is National Cancer Survivors Day. It’s a day to pause and reflect on the journey of healing and the power of survival. It’s a day to appreciate and reaffirm life.

Each year, Texas Health hosts celebrations to honor cancer survivors and their families who support them. Every day we renew our commitment to support those affected by cancer. For example, Texas Health is adding more nurse navigators to help guide patients and their families on a complex and often challenging journey. Nurse navigators offer educational resources and medical information as well as assistance with tests and procedures.

Cancer Survivors Day is also a day to raise awareness of risk factors for cancer and screening tools that can help detect cancer early. Texas Health collaborates with organizations such as the American Cancer Society and Susan B. Komen Foundation to support education and research.

We also support the Look Good Feel Better program of the Personal Care Products Council Foundation. Look Good Feel Better helps women adjust to their body’s changing image. It offers simple tips on make-up such as choosing a foundation that complements their skin tone. That may seem like a little thing, but sometimes little things make all the difference in reaffirming life and treating the whole patient –body, mind and spirit.

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

Changing the Shortage of Primary Care Physicians

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

More than 22 percent of Texans live in an area that has a shortage of primary care physicians. The Health Services and Resources Administration says that 56 percent of the patient visits in the United States are for primary care. But only 37 percent of the physicians practice primary care medicine, and only 8 percent of medical students go into family practice.

That is a significant problem because a strong primary care system is critical to improve the health of the people and bend the cost-curve of health services. Primary care physicians provide people with a “medical home” and help people navigate a complex tangle of services.

Texas Health is developing a new model of care for the communities we serve, and one part of our strategy is to expand the capabilities of our primary care network.

We’re providing physicians with enhanced tools that enable them to coordinate care for their whole patient population, one individual at a time. We are helping them deliver the right care at the right time in the right setting.

Texas Health will continue to advocate for changes designed to increase the number of medical students who choose primary care. Through collaboration with policy makers and medical schools, we are committed to expanding the number of medical residency slots and increasing support for scholarships and medical school faculty salaries.

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

Employer-Based Coverage Continues to Decline

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

It used to be that affordable health care coverage was a common part of most employee compensation packages. That, unfortunately, is not the case anymore.

A recent survey by the National Institute for Health Care Reform confirmed what many people in North Texas have experienced. Between 2007 and 2010, the share of children and working-age adults in the United States with employer-sponsored health insurance dropped 10 percentage points, to 53 percent.

The study asserts that even when the economy improves and employment rebounds, the decline will continue in the number of companies offering health coverage. As companies raise co-pays and increase the share of premiums that employees pay, fewer employees will sign up for company-sponsored coverage.

As more of the cost of health care shifts from employers and insurance companies to employees, Texas Health is finding innovative ways to deliver more value to people. In these challenging times, we’re changing how health care is delivered and managed. We’re collaborating with physicians and forming cooperative arrangements with other regional health systems to provide integrated, coordinated care, improve outcomes and reduce costs.

Times are changing, but our commitment remains firm to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve.

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

Integrating and Coordinating the Pieces

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

You’ve probably heard many people, including me, say that our nation’s current health care system is not sustainable.

Today’s health care environment is made of disconnected pieces. The payment structure is complex, and navigating among the various providers is often confusing and frustrating. Changing economics and other pressures to reform the health care system make it clear that health care organizations and physicians can no longer operate in independent silos.

So Texas Health Resources is changing the model.

This will not happen overnight, but you will see Texas Health become a national benchmark for coordinated, integrated health services that span the continuum of care. Under what we call an “Accountable Clinical Management” model, hospital administrators and physicians will work hand-in-hand with one another, collaborating on all aspects of individual and population health care.

Our physician-directed, care-team approach emphasizes keeping people healthy and out of the hospital. At the same time, the care-team approach enhances coordination across the continuum of care when people need acute-care, rehabilitation, home health and other services.

This new model will provide physicians with a wide variety of technology, management tools, specialized programs and support from administrators, other physicians and providers. Together, we will improve the health of the people in the communities we serve.

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

Healthy People Contribute More

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

Texas Health recently announced a collaboration with Healthways, one of the pioneers in using evidence-based tools and methods to enhance the health and well-being of individuals and communities. Together, we’re developing a new model for health services in North Texas that we believe will help fulfill our mission to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve.

This is the first time that Healthways has joined with a large integrated health system. The science behind their tools and methods has been proven in collaboration with employers and communities in other parts of the country. Now we’re taking the new role of improving population health to the next level in one of the largest metropolitan areas of the country.

We will provide tools that enhance a physician’s ability to track and understand what works and what doesn’t for an individual patient — and help the physician understand why.

People will also be able to use the Healthways Well-Being Assessment and biometric screenings that give personalized baseline metrics to measure success. A few of the many other possibilities are effective smoking cessation programs, fitness coaching and proven weight loss methods.

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

We Must Inspire Change

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

We must inspire change in how people think about their own health — that is the only way we can truly reform health care. You’ll hear Texas Health talk a lot about this concept in the coming months.

Personal health behaviors are 50 percent of what influences health, but we spend only 4 percent of our health care dollars to change behaviors.

Changing behaviors is not easy. Texas Health is committed to providing people and their physicians with tools that can help make change easier and more effective. We recently announced a landmark agreement with Healthways, one of the companies at the forefront of helping change behaviors and improve the health of communities.

Together, Texas Health and Healthways are developing a new model for North Texas designed to connect people to their own health, connect people to their doctors, and connect people in their communities.

Better health starts with the individual and expands to improve the health and well-being of the entire community.

The ultimate goal of this new model — based on methods Healthways has proven in other communities — is to lead people to happier, healthier, well-adjusted lives. Healthy people enhance the well-being of their families, contribute more to their communities and jobs, and have less financial impact on the health care system.

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

New Models Emerging for Accountable Care

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

Our nation’s current health system focuses on sick care. Texas Health is transforming our entire organization to develop new models of accountable care designed to keep people healthy, reduce health risks by changing behaviors, and optimize care for those with serious health concerns.

By providing a wide variety of tools and resources, Texas Health will help people access tailored services at home, at work, in the physician’s office, in the fitness club or in the hospital.

That is the essence of “population health management.” We’re identifying the needs of defined groups of people, and connecting each individual with the right service, at the right time, in the right place. Our goal is to create a seamless network across the continuum of services from wellness, prevention and primary care services to acute care, rehabilitation and long-term care, home care and hospice care. With time, each person will have their own individual health record.

Texas Health is collaborating on pilot projects to develop different models of accountable care, tailored to the population served. For example, we’re working with North Texas Specialty Physicians in a Pioneer ACO project involving Medicare patients. In the coming months you’ll see us engage with other organizations on wellness and prevention, home health care and fitness.

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

Relationships Changing Between Physicians and Hospitals

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

Once upon a time, the trusted family physician was the hub of health care in our communities, caring for patients literally from birth throughout life’s stages. Today healthcare has become a multi-faceted industry with numerous points of access. Health services are now a “team sport,” and the knowledge the family doctor once possessed for each patient has become just one part of the continuum.

Relationships among physicians, patients and the health care system are changing to meet the challenges of improving patient outcomes and controlling the cost of services. Enhanced integration and teamwork between physicians and healthcare systems is critical to the future of healthcare — first and foremost to provide the best and safest care for the community — and second, to meet requirements for new payment models and quality measurements that will be central to healthcare reform.

Texas Health is bringing more physicians into leadership roles throughout our system. New organizational leadership models team a physician — in the role of clinical leader — with an experienced administrator in the role of operations leader. We believe this teamwork approach will build a trusting, accountable relationship among all members of the care team. That will ultimately benefit patients through better coordination, improved outcomes, greater value, higher satisfaction and improved cost.

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

Coordination Across the Continuum of Care

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

Our nation’s healthcare system is fragmented to the point of being broken. That’s why Texas Health launched a 10-year strategic plan in 2007 to create an integrated, coordinated system for delivering health services.

Today, patients often have to coordinate their own health services. Sometimes they even have to carry their paper health records from one physician office to another. Doctors and hospitals are reimbursed on a fee-for-service model that can result in duplicate tests and unnecessary utilization. This “old-world” environment is focused on sick care.

The “new world” we are building focuses on wellness, prevention and coordinated services across the continuum of care.

Envision this — the acute care hospital is the centerpiece of the system, a box in the middle of a table. To the left of the hospital, we will have wellness, prevention and primary care services. To the right, we will have rehabilitation, long-term care, home health services, palliative and hospice care. All of these pieces will be tied together through a secure electronic health information system that makes patient information immediately available no matter where the individual shows up in the system.

Over the next few months, we’ll begin to see the results of Texas Health’s plans for the new world of health services.

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

Expanding Home Health Services

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

Providing post-acute hospital care in the home is a critical part of the continuum of care. Competent, caring home health professionals can provide short-term care that helps the patient recover after discharge from the hospital. Providing the right home health services at the right time can significantly decrease the risk of readmission to the hospital.

Texas Health has an expansive vision for the future of home health care. We envision a variety of services, tailored for the specific needs of individual patients to help them get well, stay well and stay out of the hospital.

Home health programs could, for example, include transition services that help the patient receive innovative well-being services that proactively manage patients outside of the clinical environment.

Technology will play a major role in keeping patients out of the hospital. Texas Health is piloting a program to explore how remote tele-monitoring technology can help reduce hospital readmission in patients with congestive heart failure. Preliminary results indicate positive patient feedback and reduced readmissions.

The goal of home health services is to help people live an enjoyable, abundant, healthy life — and stay out of the hospital.

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

Healing in Body, Mind and Spirit

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

Texas Health is proud to have received the 2012 Spirit of CONTACT award from the Dallas CONTACT crisis intervention organization. CONTACT recognized Texas Health for our support of area health and human services through programs that minister to the mind and spirit, as well as the body.

It is our privilege to work closely with CONTACT in its life-saving mission of meeting the emotional and mental health needs of the people in the communities we serve.

For example, Texas Health Presbyterian Dallas implemented the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program, the first of its kind in Dallas County. Trained staff members help victims to be cared for in a safe, respectful and professional manner, while working to collect medical forensic evidence.

Texas Health also created “The Family Violence and Your Workplace” toolkit for companies to use in educating their employees about prevention of family violence.

We’re also expanding an eating disorders program at Texas Health Presbyterian Dallas. It will be the first hospital-based, adult inpatient program in the Metroplex designed to treat this serious mental health condition.

Together with community groups like the CONTACT crisis intervention organization , we work to heal body, mind and spirit.

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

Helping Families Get a Healthy Start

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

Texas Health Resources wants to help families get off to a good start with a healthy pregnancy and stay healthy through the growing years.

TexasHealth.org/Moms gives families information and tools to help them with everything from planning a healthy pregnancy to sharing wisdom on child-raising to finding healthy recipes.

Many of our hospitals teach Safe Sleep techniques to help moms and dads protect babies. We also provide classes on topics such as infant CPR, breastfeeding, and what to expect during pregnancy.

We’re implementing technology in some of our Neonatal Intensive Care Units to enable parents of our smallest patients to see them from home. It’s an emotionally tough time for parents to leave their baby in the NICU. This technology is helping parents stay connected when they can’t stay at the hospital.

Each baby deserves a healthy start to life. So each year we support the March of Dimes annual March for Babies. Funds raised by the march help support research into treatments so that fewer babies will be born premature. Many of our employees also join in the walk along side our patients. Every family’s needs are different. Texas Health is working to help all families start healthy and stay healthy.

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

A Healthy Heart Starts with the Heart Health Profiler

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

February is American Heart Month. This is a great time to consider the health of your heart.

Did you know your heart has its own age? It can be different from your actual age. Knowing your heart age can help you understand your risk for heart disease.

That’s why Texas Health Resources implemented a Heart Health Profiler. In just 10 minutes this online tool can help you calculate your heart age. It can also help determine factors that put you at risk for heart disease and offer tips on how to reduce those risks. I’ve taken this free assessment and urge you to do the same. Visit YourHeartAge.com to take the evaluation. If you are at risk, we can help you schedule an appointment with a Texas Health-affiliated physician.

The Heart Health Profiler is part of our comprehensive heart and vascular care, from prevention and diagnosis to treatment and rehabilitation.

Texas Health is also honored to work with the American Heart Association to sponsor Go Red for Women in North Texas. This dynamic campaign educates women on heart disease, which is their greatest health threat.

Remember, a healthy heart can start at YourHeartAge.com.

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

What is Population Health Management?

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

I’d like to talk with you about “population health management.”

“Population health management” is a way of looking at the overall health needs of a defined group of people. For example, the population could be defined as Medicare patients in Tarrant County. Or it could be people who have diabetes and work for the State of Texas. There are many ways to define a population based on common factors.

New approaches to population health management offer some of the greatest opportunities to improve outcomes and — at the same time — help control the cost of care. Population health management means providing the right care at the right time in the right place, throughout the continuum of health needs.

Texas Health has begun initiatives with Methodist Health System, UT Southwestern Medical Center, and North Texas Specialty Physicians to design and implement new models of accountable care for defined populations.

We’re developing approaches that include:

Wellness and prevention
Primary and acute care
Rehabilitation, long term and hospice care

I look forward to sharing more with you on population health management and accountable care in the coming months.

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

Changing Demographics are Changing Health Care (Part 2)

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

Previously I talked about the impact our aging population will have on health care. Another trend that will impact health care is a shift in the ethnic make-up of our population. In the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, the two fastest-growing demographic groups are the Hispanic and Asian/Pacific Islander populations. Each segment is expected to grow by more than 23 percent from 2009 to 2014.

This trend increases the need for more culturally competent care, with an increasing focus on the role the family plays in a person’s health. We also see an increasing need for clinics that focus on primary care, early diagnosis, prevention and disease management. As we look at models of care, these factors will help determine the types of facilities we build, the services we offer, and how we provide those services.

Quality, convenience and cost-effectiveness will be our watch-words as we develop new models of patient-centered care.

In the next few years, you will see Texas Health invest in more satellite clinics and outpatient centers to meet the changing needs of our population and deliver services closer to where people live and work. We will also collaborate with other providers to better manage the overall health of populations with different needs.

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

Changing Demographics are Changing Health Care (Part 1)

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

The fastest-growing population in the U.S. is people 80 years and older. People are living longer, and with that comes a whole set of geriatric medical needs that did not exist a few decades ago.

What can this growing population expect from health care systems? One trend is the growth of care delivered at home. Maintaining independence is vital to our older population. As they start losing their ability or willingness to drive, they still want to maintain some level of control.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, home health care is one of the fastest-growing health care services. In-home medical technologies can make it possible for people to receive care right at home and offer substantial cost savings compared to in-patient facilities.

Another trend is the growing need for geriatricians. Unfortunately, there is a shortage of physicians specializing in health care for an older population. One reason for this decline is that geriatricians rely on Medicare reimbursements, which continue to shrink. We need more incentives for medical students to specialize in areas that face growing demand, such as geriatrics.

Tune in again next week for Part 2 of our look at how the changing character of our population will impact health care.

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

Virtual Learning Game Helps Women with Depression

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

Depression is common in women. One in four women will experience severe depression at some point, according to the National Institutes of Mental Health. The majority of women unfortunately do not get the help they need when they visit their primary health care providers because the depression may not be recognized.

Primary care providers now have an innovative new tool to help identify, treat and manage depressive disorders in women. Texas Health Research & Education Institute recently launched a virtual, interactive learning game called “Women and Depression: Navigating the Clinical Course.”

The game takes providers through a clinical treatment experience using a 46-year-old virtual patient who reports symptoms of depression. Learners are encouraged to look at issues from multiple perspectives and develop decision-making abilities. The objective is early detection and appropriate management of treatment, leading to improved quality of life for the patient.

Texas Health Research & Education is offering this powerful learning tool free to providers interested in sharpening their knowledge and skills in this key area. This could include primary care physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, physician assistants and nurse practitioners. Eligible providers receive continuing medical education credits. And patients benefit from enhanced detection, treatment and management of depressive disorders.

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

Controlling Soaring Insurance Premiums

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

The Kaiser Family Foundation¹ recently published a survey about employer-sponsored health coverage. The survey showed that premiums in 2011 increased nine percent for families and eight percent for individuals compared to 2010. A New York Times analysis of the survey results² said preparation for health care reform accounted for 1.5 percent of the increase. The rest of the increase was due to higher profits for insurance companies and increased costs of providing medical care.

One provision of health care reform could help hold down premiums in 2012. That provision requires insurance companies to spend at least 80 to 85 percent of their premiums on medical care. That will keep premiums closer to what is paid out in claims.

Texas Health is collaborating with physicians and payers to control the cost of providing care. In 2011, Texas Health signed an innovative pay-for-performance agreement with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas that ties part of reimbursements to quality and safety improvements.

The Texas Health board of trustees also holds every person in the organization accountable for continuous improvement. Executive compensation and success sharing payouts to employees are tied to annual goals for improvement in quality, safety and patient satisfaction. Every Texas Health employee has a personal stake in improving performance and reducing costs.

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

1. Kaiser Family Foundation and Health Research and Educational Trust, “Employer Health Benefits, 2011 Annual Survey”
2. The New York Times, Oct. 3, 2011, “Your Soaring Insurance Premiums”

Texas Health Denton Implements Electronic Health Record

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

Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton recently went live with its electronic health record. That’s great news for patients and their families in Denton County, as they leave the era of paper records. But it’s also exciting for Texas Health Resources. All 13 wholly owned Texas Health hospitals now have the EHR, with its proven capability to reduce medical errors and improve quality of care. And Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Alliance, opening in September 2012, will have a fully integrated EHR when it opens its doors this year.

Thanks to the EHR, our hospitals can share patient health information across our system. The electronic health record gives everyone who is caring for the patient better access to the patient’s chart in a secure and speedy manner.

Our hospitals all have achieved Stage 6 designation on their EHR from the nation’s major health information technology association. Reaching the sixth of seven stages means that hospitals have implemented barcode medication verification to help prevent medication errors. Only 5 percent of U.S. hospitals have reached this stage. Our sights are now set on achieving the final stage of EHR implementation.

Patients throughout North Texas benefit from Texas Health’s leadership in the electronic health record.

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

Wellness Program at Speer Elementary

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

The top three New Year’s resolutions each year are to save money, lose weight, and exercise, according to an annual poll conducted by the FranklinCovey Company. But more than 75 percent of New Year’s resolutions fizzle out within three months, the survey indicates. Why? Because people are busy and often set unrealistic goals.

That’s why it’s important to start adopting healthy habits from a young age. At Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital, we’re working with the Arlington school district and the Cancer Research Foundation to do just that. Together, we began a wellness program last Fall at Speer Elementary in Arlington. The year-long project, called “Healthy Heroes Eat Right and Move More,” encourages third graders to adopt healthy habits. The goal is to improve health and decrease Body Mass Indexes, or BMIs.

Physical education coaches work with hospital dieticians to track the children’s BMIs. At the end of the school year, the two children who made the most progress will win bicycles purchased by the Cancer Research Foundation.

Congratulations to Texas Health Arlington Memorial, Speer Elementary and the Cancer Research Foundation for helping children develop healthy habits that will serve them well throughout their lives – and with every New Year.

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

Looking Ahead

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

This time of year, businesses across the country attempt to look ahead and predict what the coming months will bring. But, as the great Yogi Berra said, “It’s tough to make predictions, especially about the future.”

All kidding aside, there are some things we can predict that are sure to have a significant impact on the business of health care in North Texas.

The United States Supreme Court has agreed to hear cases that challenge some of the provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which set in motion health care reform. The court’s decision is expected by mid-year, and it could have enormous impact on the health care environment. But no matter how the court rules, Texas Health will continue to pursue the 10-year strategy we began in 2006 to transform the delivery of health care. We’re reshaping our entire organization to improve quality, become more patient-focused and be flexible enough to meet whatever challenges may come.

Another factor we know will impact every business is the strength of the economy. As more of the cost of care is shifted from employers and insurance companies to consumers, Texas Health is finding innovative ways to deliver more value to patients. We’re working cooperatively with physicians to provide better care, become more efficient, and reduce costs.

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

Partnership Between Texas Health Fort Worth, March of Dimes

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

Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth has partnered with the March of Dimes to provide a special new service to the families of our tiniest patients. The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Family Support program is the first of its kind in Tarrant County and one of only four in the state. It is designed to help comfort and inform the families of premature babies and reduce stress related to their little one’s hospital stay and transition home.

The program was constructed based on input from families of NICU babies who have “graduated” from the unit. These families understand better than anyone the kind of support needed to guide people through the difficult experience of having a newborn in intensive care.

The program was made possible in part by a generous gift from Carolyn and Herschel Winn in memory of their daughter, Celia Winn Spaans (pronounced like “SPAWNS”), who died of breast cancer in 1998. The Celia Winn Spaans Family Support Room offers a nurturing environment where NICU staff and families can convene and support one another.

A neonatal family support specialist works to connect families with various resources and activities, including educational opportunities for parents, siblings, and staff. This family-centered approach to neonatal intensive care reflects the commitment of Texas Health hospitals to caring for the whole person — body, mind and spirit.

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

W.W. Caruth Jr. Center for SAFE Healing

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

Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas has opened the W.W. Caruth Jr. Center for SAFE Healing. The 3,000-square-foot, multi-room suite is dedicated to providing comprehensive treatment for sexual assault victims. The center — the first of its kind in Dallas County — is located in the hospital’s emergency department. It will serve as a unique healing environment for victims and their family members.

The suite is part of the new Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program at Texas Health Dallas. It features medical exam rooms with advanced forensic equipment as well as rooms where law enforcement officials and social service advocates can meet with victims. It also includes private bathrooms with showers, secure access to evidence collection, an education center for nurse training, and a private family waiting area.

Nurses certified as Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Victims can be seen and treated at any time of the day or night in the center.

The suite was made possible by a $2 million gift from the W.W. Caruth Jr. Foundation of Communities Foundation of Texas. I’d like to offer my sincere thanks to the Caruth foundation for its generosity and foresight in supporting this unique partnership designed to make Dallas safer.

For Texas Health Resources and its faith-based family of hospitals —Texas Health Presbyterian, Texas Health Harris Methodist, and Texas Health Arlington Memorial — I’m Doug Hawthorne.

Texas Health Resources Recognized as Top National IT Workplace

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

Texas Health Resources is a great place to work. Satisfied employees bring passion, creativity and enthusiasm to help achieve our mission: improving the health of the people in the communities we serve.

Along with our compassionate staff members who provide direct patient care, Texas Health is blessed to have gifted employees in critical support roles such as information technology. The professionals of our Innovative Technology Solutions division are essential in helping serve North Texans’ care needs through initiatives such as the point-to-point connectivity of electronic health records.

Our information technology department was recognized this week by Healthcare IT News as one of the nation’s top information technology departments among health systems. This award comes on the heels of our selection earlier this year by Computerworld magazine as one of the 100 best workplaces for IT professionals, regardless of industry. We’ve made that list four consecutive years and ranked No. 19 this year.

Our talented technology professionals derive immense satisfaction from their work, a fact evident in our selection for these national awards. They know that every time they sit down at their keyboards or work with clinicians, they are supporting caregivers in improving the health of patients across North Texas. And that’s a great feeling when friends and family ask, “So what did you do at work today?”

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

Encourage Employees to Avoid Holiday Stress

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

The holidays are a joyous time of year, but they also can be very stressful. Between party planning, shopping, cooking, travel, cleaning and entertaining, it’s easy to stretch yourself too thin and rob yourself of simple enjoyments.

As an employer, I like to remind my staff to focus on the joys of the season and take steps to manage stress. I encourage you to do the same. Here are some helpful tips you can share with your employees to prevent and manage holiday stress:

Give yourself permission to not be perfect. When expectations are high, disappointment often follows.
Set reasonable expectations with your family and friends for how much time and money you can commit this holiday season.
Do something kind for someone else.
Give yourself a budget and stick to it. Plan ahead and give yourself more than enough time for preparation. After all, for many families, half the fun of having a big family dinner is preparing it.

And most importantly, take some time off and relax. Americans gave back 448 million unused vacation days in 2010, according to a survey by Expedia.com. That’s about $67 billion worth of time. Taking time off will not only help you rest and rejuvenate, it will help you to be less stressed and more productive when you return to work.

So this holiday season, take some time for yourself and your family.

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

Improving Health Through Faith-Based and Community Partnerships

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

I recently visited Washington, D.C., for a convening of 16 health care leaders from across the country to discuss improving health outcomes through faith-based and community partnerships. Joined by faith community leaders, our small group met with senior domestic health policy advisors from the White House and the Department of Health & Human Services.

The purpose of the gathering was to talk about how to engage faith and community leaders in partnerships designed to expand access to health care, identify and spread best practices, and reduce costs.

As the only representative from Texas, I was happy to share our charity care and community benefit initiatives, and specifically our Faith Community Nursing program and support for faith-based clinics. Our Faith Community Nursing program deploys about 100 nurses across the Texas Health system to serve 77 local faith communities — all on a volunteer basis. These nurses provide health education and screenings for members of their respective churches, synagogues or mosques. They offer a unique, specialized ministry that focuses on the promotion of health within the context of the values, beliefs and practices of a faith community.

I am thankful that leaders in Washington are devoting time and resources to the important discussion of how we improve the health and well-being of underserved communities. I hope our efforts bring about greater collaboration and, ultimately, greater positive impact on the communities we serve.

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

Doctor of Nursing Program: Local, National Trend

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

Across the country, more and more nurses are earning Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees. These are patient-oriented doctorates focusing on clinical care rather than academic research. Three Texas Health Resources nurses recently completed these degrees at Texas Christian University.

The movement toward increased higher education among nurses represents a national trend designed to take what nurse scientists are discovering in labs and at academic healthcare institutions and apply it to the bedside.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice degree has exploded on the scene in the last five years, with the number of programs nationally mushrooming from 20 in 2006 to more than 120 in 2009. Until recently, the most common doctorate-level degree in nursing was a doctorate of philosophy in nursing science — an academic and research-based degree.

The trend toward equipping more advanced-practice nurses with Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees emerged as a result of recommendations in “The Future of Nursing,” a landmark study conducted by the Institute of Medicine and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The study emphasized the need for continued lifelong learning and concluded that nurses should be full partners — with physicians and other health professionals — in redesigning health care.

My congratulations to Texas Health Resources’ most recent Doctor of Nursing Practice graduates. I thank you for all you are doing to combine innovation with health care delivery and translate the latest evidence from literature into practice.

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

Texas Health is Going Green

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

Texas Health is fulfilling part of our responsibility to be good stewards of our resources by following the recycling slogan “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.”

For example, the “Go Green” initiative at Texas Health Dallas recently earned a national CleanZone Level 1 certification for various recycling and environmentally-friendly initiatives. One of the initiatives is cardboard baling, which saves up to 70 tons of cardboard a year. That’s 1,500 trees, half-a-million gallons of water, and 300,000 kilowatt hours of electricity saved by just one program.

At Texas Health HEB, the “Green Team” recycled more than 43 tons of paper, plastic and cardboard. They also donated 1,200 cell phones to Cell Phones for Soldiers.

Texas Health Arlington Memorial is part of the City of Arlington’s “Green Team,” a sustainability program for Arlington businesses. This year they received The Partner for Change award from Practice Greenhealth, which recognizes health care institutions that recycle at least 10 percent of their total waste.

Since 2002, Texas Health Fort Worth has reduced its overall waste by 50 percent, reduced regulated medical waste by an average of 10 percent, and reduced energy consumption by five percent.

We’re proud of the efforts our hospitals are making to reduce, reuse and recycle.

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

2011 HeartBeat 5K Race

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

Do something good for your heart this fall! Join us at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas this Saturday, November 5 for the 20th annual HeartBeat 5K, Family Fun Run and Healthy Heart Fair. Registration is $25 for adults and $15 for kids 12 and under. Free parking is available, or you can ride DART, our official transportation sponsor, to the Walnut Hill station.

The race provides an opportunity to give back to those in need in our community. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the HeartBeat 5K are reinvested in underserved neighborhoods in Dallas to help address critical health needs. Beneficiaries include Texas Health Dallas’ sexual assault treatment program, pediatric health center and concussion management program, as well as Healing Hands Ministries in Lake Highlands.

Whether you’re young or young at heart, the HeartBeat 5K has something for everyone — from basic health screenings and flu shots to kids’ activities and door prizes. We will even have entertainment by Tim Halperin, a Season 10 contestant on American Idol.

A special thanks to our lead sponsor, Sam’s Club, as well as Tom Thumb, Channel 8, The Dallas Morning News, Channel 52 and Clear Channel Radio.

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

Projections of National Health Spending

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

According to a recent study published by the journal Health Affairs, the combination of federal, state and local government expenditures for health care will equal almost 50 percent of total health spending by the year 2020. Health Affairs is a nonprofit journal of health policy thought and research.

The study says that in 2014, overall national health spending will grow by 8.3 percent when major expansions of health insurance coverage kick in as required by the Affordable Care Act. The expanded coverage is expected to reduce the number of uninsured by nearly 30 million people.

What does this mean for businesses and consumers?

The Health Affairs study projects that as the government-sponsored share of health spending increases, the share paid by private businesses and households will shrink to a smaller portion of the nation’s health bill. According to the study, the projected share for private business would decline from 20 percent in 2014 to 18 percent in 2020. The share paid by households is projected to decrease from 28 percent in 2013 to 26 percent in 2020.

Texas Health believes an informed public is a consistent key to controlling health costs and making access to care available to all.

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

Texas Health Sets EHR Pace Nationwide

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

Texas Health is a national pace-setter in implementing the electronic health record. Texas Health’s physician adoption rate of approximately 90 percent for computerized physician order entry places the system among national leaders.

The EHR is making a difference every day for North Texans through enhanced patient safety and better coordination among care givers. For example, computerized physician order entry has proven to help reduce medication errors. In July, Hospitals & Health Networks magazine named Texas Health one of only six winners in the nation of the Most Wired Innovator Award. The award was for using alerts in the EHR to help reduce the risk of patients getting blood clots during hospital stays.

In July, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission awarded Texas Health Resources more than $7 million in Medicaid incentive payments for adoption of the EHR. Earlier in the year, Texas Health received more than $19 million in federal Medicare incentive payments for meeting first stage criteria for “meaningful use” of the EHR.

Texas Health has invested more than $200 million in its EHR. We have been blessed with the brainpower and resources to make this significant investment a success. Now we’re sharing our knowledge with other health systems to help shorten the learning curve to successful implementation of health information technology.

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

Partnership for Patients

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

Earlier this year, Texas Health hospitals pledged their support for the Partnership for Patients, a new program launched by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation as part of the Affordable Care Act.

The Partnership for Patients provides a framework for focusing and organizing patient safety improvement efforts that are one of Texas Health’s key strategic objectives. There are two major thrusts of the program — care transitions and patient safety.

For several years, Texas Health has collaborated with other health systems through the Premier alliance to focus on patient safety and quality improvement. We’ve already made significant progress through initiatives such as Premier’s QUEST program. We believe the Partnership for Patients will help accelerate our efforts.

More than 540 hospitals across the country have signed up to work with Premier on the Partnership for Patients with the goal of developing, testing and implementing solutions tailored for each local market.

As I’ve said many times before, the most effective health care reforms will occur at the local level. We believe that collaborating with other health systems in this nationwide team effort will help us deliver enhanced patient safety and quality right here in North Texas.

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

World-Class Physiology Research at IEEM

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

Did you know that some of the world’s leading research in physiology is taking place right here in Dallas? The Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas was founded as a joint program between Texas Health Dallas and UT Southwestern Medical Center.

The institute is one of the few research centers in the world that brings together basic science and clinical medicine to study human physiology. The goal is to improve quality of life for people of all ages. And the work is making a difference.

Researchers at the institute recently presented study results on how the human body responds to bleeding in hot conditions. Researchers found that cooling patients who are in shock may be a better strategy than warming them. Their work could have a profound effect on how soldiers, firefighters and police officers are treated after suffering an injury.

Recent studies have found that long-term aerobic exercise can benefit brain function, and that heart muscle is strengthened by consistent exercise. Researchers at the institute are also studying the connection between obesity and shortness of breath. They hope to learn how overweight and obese people can recover healthy lung function, lose weight and improve their overall health.

I congratulate the researchers at the Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine for the work they are doing to unite basic science and clinical medicine to improve quality of life.

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

Real Time Location System Cuts Hospital Costs

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

Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas has begun tracking thousands of pieces of hospital equipment using a radio frequency identification system that instantly identifies where tagged objects are. The system helps our clinicians do their jobs more efficiently. We think it’s had a positive impact on patient satisfaction and employee satisfaction.

The Texas Health Dallas campus is more than 1.6 million square feet, with hundreds of hallways, more than 800 patient rooms and thousands of closets. On a campus that large, nurses could spend a significant amount of time hunting and gathering equipment. In the past, hospitals had to buy and rent extra equipment, but in today’s cost-conscious environment, that’s not an acceptable option.

Our goal was to find a technology solution to reduce the “hunting-and-gathering” time and enable nurses to spend more time on direct care activities that could improve outcomes. That’s what we’ve found this system can do — it saves time that clinicians can now spend with their patients.

Texas Health Dallas has been able to improve inventory levels and asset utilization, reduce rental expenses, and allow care givers the ability to find what they need in seconds. All of these things improve the hospital experience and satisfaction of both patients and care givers.

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

Enough is Enough – Cuts in Federal Reimbursement

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

In the words of the American Hospital Association, “Enough is enough!” During negotiations over health care reform, hospitals agreed to more than $155 billion dollars in reimbursement cuts over 10 years. Federal programs already underpay hospitals, and now we are facing possible additional cuts that could have a negative impact on everyone in the communities we serve.

We believe there are alternative ways to create real reforms and reduce the cost of health care.

It is critical that we protect the fragile Medicaid safety net that pays for care of the most vulnerable among us. Medicaid covers poor children and pregnant women as well as those who are indigent or disabled. For this program, we can implement models like Accountable Care Organizations, medical homes and pay-for-performance programs, which have proven to manage costs and enhance quality. We can also increase the use of generic drugs, restructure co-payments and design tax incentives for long-term care.

For Medicare, which covers mostly people over 65, we could increase beneficiary cost-sharing, adjust the eligibility age, and improve laws regulating medical malpractice liability. We could also consider a tax on junk food and a tax-exemption cap on employer-provided health insurance.

Texas Health will continue to engage policy makers and offer solutions for a balanced approach to real reform. We encourage you to add your voice to the dialogue.

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

Safe Surgery Pilot

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I’m Doug Hawthorne, CEO of Texas Health Resources, with “The Business of Health Care Report.” Those of us who’ve been driving a car for decades probably don’t think much anymore about how to operate the car. We’ve done it so many times, it’s routine. Unfortunately, all too often, with routine comes inattention. For example, you probably don’t drive your car exactly the way you were taught — with your hands in the “10” and “2” positions on the steering wheel.

Falling into routine is exactly what we in the healthcare industry hope to avoid. No matter how many times a nurse, physician, or other care provider has drawn blood, taken blood pressure, or prepared for a surgery, these tasks should never become routine. In order to deliver the highest quality care to each patient, our goal is to carry out each task with meticulous attention to detail.

This is precisely the thinking behind the Safe Surgery initiative. As a tool to improve communication, patient safety and outcomes during surgical and invasive procedures, Texas Health hospitals have begun implementing the World Health Organization’s Surgical Safety Checklist.

A 2009 study by the WHO revealed that use of the checklist with enhanced communication in the operating room reduces complications and deaths associated with surgery. While our hospitals already adhere to many elements of the Surgical Safety Checklist, full adoption of the checklist will make our processes more robust and consistent, promoting better communication between all members of the surgical team.

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

Concussion Management at Ben Hogan Sports Medicine

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

High school athletes across Texas are returning to school this fall with new protocols for concussions. As of Aug. 1, the University Interscholastic League requires athletes who sustain concussions during UIL sports activities to sit out for the remainder of the day. Student athletes also must obtain written clearance from a physician before returning to play.

These new, stronger requirements are designed to keep student athletes safer. At Texas Health Ben Hogan Sports Medicine, we are working with 120 schools and club sports teams across North Texas to help coaches and parents determine not only when it’s safe for their athletes to return to play, but also to class, after a concussion.

Since 2008, more than 32,000 North Texas student athletes have received ImPACT™ baseline testing through the Concussion Management Program at Texas Health Ben Hogan Sports Medicine. The test establishes an athlete’s neurocognitive function. After a concussion, the test is retaken, allowing the computer system to calculate if there’s been a change to the athlete’s cognitive efficiency.

Of those we have given the baseline test, approximately one in 15 have returned to be retested after suffering a concussion. In addition to resting from sports, our athletic trainers and physicians recommend a period of total rest during recovery from a concussion — from class, even from video games — to give the brain adequate time to heal.

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

Texas Health and American Heart Association

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

Heart disease is the number one killer among women over the age of 20. Many are surprised when they learn this fact. But heart disease kills one woman per minute, taking more lives than the next four causes of death combined.

To help raise awareness of this disease — and help raise money to fight it — Texas Health Resources has joined the American Heart Association as the “cause sponsor” for the 2011 Go Red for Women campaign. Go Red is the AHA’s nationwide movement that celebrates the energy, passion and power of women to band together and wipe out heart disease.

Texas Health and the American Heart Association will work together to help women understand what lifestyle changes they can make to improve their heart health. From health tips to heart disease experts, we at Texas Health feel it’s important to share our resources to help improve the health of the people in the communities we serve.

We hope you will join us in spreading awareness and raising funds to combat this deadly and yet preventable disease. How can you help? Participate in the annual Heart Walk in your area. Or join us for the annual Go Red events in the spring. And throughout the year, I encourage you to eat right, exercise and stay healthy.

For Texas Health Resources and its faith-based family of hospitals, Texas Health Presbyterian, Texas Health Harris Methodist, and Texas Health Arlington Memorial, I’m Doug Hawthorne.

Social Media and Healthcare

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

A recent Ticker survey by National Research Corporation revealed that one in five Americans use social media as a source of healthcare information. Ninety-four percent of those surveyed said they had used Facebook to gather information for their healthcare, and 32 percent had used YouTube, according to the survey.

In addition, one in four survey respondents said social media was likely or very likely to impact future healthcare decisions.*

As consumers continue to push the envelope and take a more active role in their healthcare, social media can provide valuable resources for wellness, prevention and education. At Texas Health Resources, we embrace the relationship between social media and healthcare. In fact, a daily healthcare content analyzer called UbiCare consistently ranks our Texas Health Moms Facebook page in the top 20 most engaged healthcare Facebook pages in the country. UbiCare’s Engagement Quotient measures the impact of nearly 1,000 hospital Facebook pages weekly based on number of posts, likes, comments and fans.

Our hospitals are engaged on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and blogs. And we continue to support our social media outreach with the substantive healthcare content we provide at TexasHealth.org. We are happy to be part of the social media conversation and invite you to join in. Visit TexasHealth.org/SocialMedia to find our Facebook pages, YouTube Channel, Twitter handles and blogs.

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

*National Research Corporation Ticker

Cord Blood Awareness Month

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

Some of our tiniest patients at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Allen are already helping save lives. With their parents’ permission, they are donating cord blood that could potentially be used to help save the life of a person with a potentially deadly disease.

It’s all possible because Texas Health Allen, a member of the Texas Cord Blood Bank, became the first and only hospital in Collin County to offer the collection of life-saving cord blood as a free service to its patients.

Umbilical cord blood, which is normally discarded after a baby is born, is rich in blood-making cells.* It can be used as an alternative to bone marrow transplants to treat certain blood disorders and cancers.**

Texas Health Allen’s membership with the Texas Cord Blood Bank allows parents of new babies to donate cord blood that can then be available to other Texas families who may need it. The non-profit program was established by the legislature in 2001.

The cord blood collection service at Texas Health Allen is free. The blood donated is helping to build a state-wide cord blood bank with life-saving cord blood from a wide variety of sources. Diversity of sources is key in helping find suitable genetic matches for patients across the state.

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

*Texas Cord Blood Bank
**Texas Cord Blood Bank

Convenient Care Center Opens at Texas Health Alliance

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

At Texas Health Resources, we are always looking for ways to help make health care convenient for employees and their employers. With the opening of Texas Health Convenient Care Alliance, we plan to meet the immediate care needs of people who live and work in the North Fort Worth-Alliance area.

Employers will have the convenience of a center close by the workplace that offers drug screenings, breathalyzer tests, physical therapy, injury care, travel medicine, audio screenings and more. In contrast, clinics that focus only on workers comp cases often turn people away if the issue is not work related.

Texas Health Convenient Care Alliance is intended to eliminate that inconvenience. An employee suffering from an ailment that may or may not be work related can come in to the Convenient Care Center and know that they will be seen regardless of whether it is a workers comp situation.

In addition, residents of Alliance will appreciate the walk-in convenience of a primary care clinic close to home. The clinic will be able to diagnosis and treat a variety of non-life-threatening ailments and get people back on the road to feeling better and being productive. The clinic will be open from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. with walk-ins welcome.

Texas Health Convenient Care Alliance is just one of the approaches we’re taking to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve.

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

Texas Health Advisory Services

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

Texas Health Resources and other health care providers frequently share best practices with the common goal of improving the care we provide to the communities we serve. As a national leader in the development and deployment of the electronic health record, Texas Health is sharing its experience as a pioneer in the health information technology arena.

We recently launched Texas Health Advisory Services, an arm of our Innovative Technology Solutions division, to help manage consulting services we provide to other systems. Texas Health Advisory Services will work with other health systems from the perspective of a peer organization travelling on the same journey.

Since 2006, we’ve invested more than $200 million in the electronic health record and implemented it at 13 Texas Health hospitals. About 90 percent of the physicians who practice in our hospitals have adopted computerized physician order entry, a key component of the electronic health record. Computerized physician order entry allows physicians to electronically enter instructions for treatment. The physician’s orders can then be accessed by other clinicians as well as the pharmacy, lab, or radiology department responsible for filling the order.

Using health information technology improves coordination among caregivers and the timeliness of information. It also helps improve quality and patient safety.

We hope our sharing of best practices will benefit patients across the nation.

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

High Impact Performance Initiatives

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

Texas Health hospitals are committed to continually improving quality and patient safety, and we employ many different methods to do so. We participate in voluntary, nationwide quality collaboratives. We incentivize our employees to abide by important safety measures like hand washing. We even borrowed a page from nuclear power industry’s safety practices to help us independently measure our compliance with key patient safety processes.

One way that we work to bring about focused, intensive improvements in specific areas is by conducting High Impact Performance Initiatives. These initiatives bring together multidisciplinary teams from across our hospital system. The teams are made up of highly specialized members who each bring a different expertise to the table. Together, they focus intensely on one clinical area and use the Baldrige quality improvement model for process improvement.

The teams begin by evaluating best practices — both within the system and externally. They then work to systematically deploy these best practices throughout our hospitals.

As the title implies, these teams bring about high-impact improvement to key clinical areas in a short period of time. Already, these High Impact Performance Improvement initiatives have helped us dramatically improve in areas such as preventing blood clots and reducing heart failure readmissions.

For Texas Health Resources and its faith-based family of hospitals, Texas Health Presbyterian, Texas Health Harris Methodist, and Texas Health Arlington Memorial, I’m Doug Hawthorne.

Shape Up Texas Health

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

Year after year, getting fit is among the top 10 most popular New Year’s resolutions. Yet halfway through the year, many people have lost their motivation to exercise. According to a recent Psychology Today article, six months after making New Year’s resolutions, 60 percent of people have failed to keep them.

To help motivate our employees to stay healthy, Texas Health Resources offers an annual program called “Shape Up Texas Health.” This year, starting on April 11, teams of employees across our organization began competing against each other in three categories: weight loss, pedometer steps and exercise minutes. We supplied each team member with a log book, a pedometer and tips on how to incorporate more activity into their daily lives.

During the 10-week competition, teams challenge each other and record their progress online. Every participant receives a signature “Shape Up Challenge” wristband, meant to foster a sense of community and remind participants to stay on the path toward healthy living.

In addition to the reward of meeting their goals and the fun of working together to pursue healthy lifestyles, all teams who compete in the program are honored at the end of the competition.

I encourage employers to offer programs like “Shape Up Texas Health” to help workers to become more active. Healthy employees are productive employees.

For Texas Health Resources and its faith-based family of hospitals, Texas Health Presbyterian, Texas Health Harris Methodist, and Texas Health Arlington Memorial, I’m Doug Hawthorne.

Accomplishments During Base Camp 1

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

In 2006, Texas Health began a 10-year strategic journey to transform how health care is delivered and make our healthcare system the benchmark by which other systems across the nation measure themselves.

This year, we celebrated our arrival at the first checkpoint along our trek. This checkpoint — or base camp — is a place where we pause along the journey to assess our progress and make adjustments as needed.

So far, our transformation has been dramatic. Between 2007 and 2010, Texas Health hospitals significantly improved appropriate care scores, achieving top-quartile performance in heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, and surgical care improvement. We also saw double-digit increases in our patient safety bundle scores. Patient safety bundles are groups of key patient safety practices — like hand hygiene — that are independently monitored and measured year round in each Texas Health facility.

When we began our 10-year journey, our goal was to bring about not only incremental improvements, but fundamental changes in our culture. We made a conscious decision to be dissatisfied with the status quo and to put all of our collective efforts into making leaps — not just steps — toward improvement.

As a result, we have seen marked improvements in quality and patient safety across our healthcare system. Ultimately, our patients are the biggest beneficiaries.

For Texas Health Resources and its faith-based family of hospitals, Texas Health Presbyterian, Texas Health Harris Methodist, and Texas Health Arlington Memorial, I’m Doug Hawthorne.

Economic Impact of Health Care in North Texas

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

Many times on this program I’ve talked about Texas Health Resources’ perspective not only as a health care system, but also as one of the largest employers in North Texas. In fact, hospitals are often among the largest employers within any community.

The economic impact of hospitals on the North Texas economy is $12.2 billion, according to a 2010 study by Dr. Gerald A. Doeksen of Oklahoma State University. The study was commissioned by the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council. The total impact is based on the salaries, wages and benefits paid to employees and other businesses that support health care organizations, such as vendors.

In 2010 alone, the 75 member hospitals of the D-FW Hospital Council generated more than 237,000 jobs. The vast majority of those jobs are in the D-FW area.

The study showed that hospital expenditures on retail sales contribute $4 billion, which produces $249.1 million in state sales taxes.

These hospitals represent economic engines that provide jobs, retail sales and state, county and local tax revenues throughout North Texas communities. Texas Health Resources is proud to provide both outstanding health care and significant economic benefits to the people in the communities we serve.

For Texas Health Resources and its faith-based family of hospitals, Texas Health Presbyterian, Texas Health Harris Methodist, and Texas Health Arlington Memorial, I’m Doug Hawthorne.

High Blood Pressure Education Month

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

May is High Blood Pressure Education Month, and employers should take this opportunity to talk to your employees about the importance of preventing and managing hypertension.

High blood pressure, often called the silent killer, can lead to costly chronic diseases if not managed. People with high blood pressure are at risk for vision loss, stroke, heart attack, heart failure and kidney disease, according to the American Heart Association.

As the focus of healthcare continues to evolve from sick care to prevention and wellness, it’s important to consider the impact high blood pressure has on our health and make the small changes we can to lower this health risk.

The American Heart Association recommends that people with high blood pressure work with their doctors to combine an appropriate diet and exercise program with medication therapy, where necessary. Taking these simple steps can help prevent more serious conditions from developing.

High blood pressure doesn’t always have symptoms, so regular checks are important. For more information about high blood pressure and its causes and risk factors, visit TexasHealth.org/Heart and click on “Hypertension.” The page includes a downloadable tracker to help you understand and track your blood pressure.

Taking responsibility for our own health is the first step toward improving our collective health.

For Texas Health Resources and its faith-based family of hospitals, Texas Health Presbyterian, Texas Health Harris Methodist, and Texas Health Arlington Memorial, I’m Doug Hawthorne.

Mental Health Month

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

May is Mental Health Month, and I’d like to encourage employers and employees alike to take a deep breath and relax.

It’s easy to get so wrapped up in our work that we forget to take stress-relieving breaks during the workday or find time on our calendars for a vacation. Wouldn’t you rather take time off to relax than spend your vacation days recovering from a stress-related illness?

A 2009 survey by Harris Interactive and Expedia.com revealed that roughly one-third of Americans do not take all of their vacation days each year, leaving an average of three vacation days unused. That translates to $63 billion worth of free labor given back to employers annually.

This may sound good for employers until you consider that U.S. companies spend $200 billion a year — more than three times as much — on stress and stress-related illnesses.

Stress has been linked to high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep loss, headaches, tooth grinding, back pain, digestive problems, anxiety and depression. And the only way to minimize the negative effects of stress is to reduce the stress itself.

So do yourself and your workplace a favor: take stress-relieving breaks during the workday. And use your vacation time to relax, rejuvenate, and put things in perspective. If our workforce is healthier, everyone benefits.

For Texas Health Resources and its faith-based family of hospitals, Texas Health Presbyterian, Texas Health Harris Methodist, and Texas Health Arlington Memorial, I’m Doug Hawthorne.

Hospital Week

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

May 9-15 is National Hospital Week, and I’d like to take this opportunity to talk about the role of hospitals in the community and to extend my sincere thanks to health care workers across North Texas.

Daily operation of Texas Health Resources hospitals would not be possible without the devoted service of more than 20,500 employees; 2,000 volunteers and 5,500 physicians on the medical staff of our hospitals. Healthcare is a 24-hour a day, 365-day a year responsibility. For physicians, nurses, patient care technicians, volunteers, and other health care workers, that can mean working nights, weekends and holidays.

Caregivers at the bedside are not the only people we rely on to ensure that that our doors remain open to the communities we serve, every hour of every day. We depend on the dedication and hard work of chaplains, dieticians, food service workers, patient advocates, admissions personnel, security, groundskeepers, housekeepers, information systems staff, pharmacy technicians and more.

Hospitals are second only to full-service restaurants as the major source of private sector jobs. In Texas alone, hospital jobs generate $96.4 billion a year in economic activity.

In addition to providing health care to the communities we serve, Texas Health hospitals provide hundreds of millions of dollars worth of charity care and community benefit each year.

For Texas Health Resources and its faith-based family of hospitals, Texas Health Presbyterian, Texas Health Harris Methodist, and Texas Health Arlington Memorial, I’m Doug Hawthorne.

Coordinator of Care: Reducing Readmissions

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

For people suffering with congestive heart failure, simple education about the condition can mean the difference between re-hospitalization and managing the illness in the comfort of home. That’s why Texas Health hospitals have conducted a High Impact Performance Improvement initiative to reduce unplanned readmissions for congestive heart failure patients.

Congestive heart failure is a chronic condition in which the heart no longer pumps as forcefully as it should to provide blood and oxygen to the rest of the body. The resulting lack of oxygen and nutrition to organs can damage their ability to work properly.

The congestive heart failure initiative focuses on thoroughly educating patients and their families about their disease while they are still in the hospital and following up with them after discharge. Follow up phone calls are made by nurses who ask specific questions about symptoms and help facilitate medication adjustments or physician visits as needed.

By devoting more time, energy, and strategic education to each patient, we can help them successfully manage their diseases at home. This in turn increases their quality of life and prevents costly re-hospitalizations.

This important initiative is just one example of how Texas Health Resources is working diligently to improve health and to become an integrated provider and coordinator of care.

For Texas Health Resources and its faith-based family of hospitals, Texas Health Presbyterian, Texas Health Harris Methodist, and Texas Health Arlington Memorial, I’m Doug Hawthorne.

Improving Care With EHR: VTE HIPI

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

Texas Health hospitals have been recognized by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society for using best practice alerts embedded in the electronic health record to reduce the risk of getting blood clots during hospital stays.

Blood clots are one of the most common preventable cause of hospital death, claiming an estimated 300,000 lives each year in the United States.

In 2008, Texas Health hospitals began a High Impact Performance Improvement project designed to prevent patients from developing potentially deadly clots. The project utilizes the electronic health record to help assess each patient’s risk of developing a clot and to remind clinicians to deliver preventive therapies where necessary. These reminders come in the form of Best Practice alerts that pop up on the computer screen in a bright yellow banner while physicians are interacting with a patient’s medical record. The physician may then order a medication therapy or mechanical compression devices, which wrap around the feet and legs and contract to promote blood flow.

Congratulations to the multidisciplinary team that came together to make this project a success. This is just one example of how hospitals can utilize the electronic health record to help save lives and cut healthcare costs.

For Texas Health Resources and its faith-based family of hospitals, Texas Health Presbyterian, Texas Health Harris Methodist, and Texas Health Arlington Memorial, I’m Doug Hawthorne.

State Funding of Medicaid

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

State legislators are facing unprecedented challenges during this year’s legislative session, including a projected budget shortfall as high as $27 billion. One proposed cut on the table is a 10 percent reduction in Medicaid reimbursements to providers.

If legislators agree to cut Medicaid, the state funding is not all we would lose. The federal government matches states’ contributions to Medicaid at about $3 to every $1. So for every dollar the state cuts, another $3 in federal funding would be lost. And that federal money, which has already been taken from the paychecks of Texans — would go to other states.

Loss of these federal and state dollars would lead to more physicians dropping out of Medicaid and more patients being cut from the program. Hospitals and physicians would see increases in uncompensated care. Disenrollment of patients in Medicaid would increase healthcare costs because these patients would no longer seek primary care. Instead, they would wait until their conditions worsen and seek care in more expensive emergency departments.

Ultimately, taxpayers, employers and those with insurance would bear the cost of care for our state’s most vulnerable populations — low-income disabled people, pregnant women and children who cannot afford health care.

I urge you to make your opinion known to our state legislators. For more information, visit TexasHealth.org/MedicaidCuts.

For Texas Health Resources and its faith-based family of hospitals, Texas Health Presbyterian, Texas Health Harris Methodist, and Texas Health Arlington Memorial, I’m Doug Hawthorne.