Chair File: Addressing Health Care Challenges, Opportunities Ahead

Dec 04, 2017 - 08:40 AM by
Eugene A. Woods

Now that our calendars are turned to December and 2018 is drawing closer, working together to advance health in America is more critical than ever. The AHA recently released the 2018 Environmental Scan, to highlight trends in health care for 2018 and beyond.

The Scan focuses on several areas:

  • Access – coverage, workforce, affordability and behavioral health
  • Value – health care transformation and care models focused on populations, which improve quality of care at a lower cost
  • Partners – embracing the diversity of individuals and serving as partners in their health
  • Well-being – a focus on wellness using community resources
  • Coordination – seamless care propelled by teams, technology, data and innovation

Your team can use the Environmental Scan to assess and address trends in your area and develop strategies and initiatives tailored to your patients’ and community’s needs. I encourage you to work with your state or regional hospital association, as well as local organizations and national partners, to address these issues and improve access, value and person-centered care for all in your community.

Uncertainties in health care continue to loom ahead, but the AHA is committed to helping you identify and implement innovative solutions and develop partnerships and new models of care so that you can effectively respond to change, challenges and opportunities.

Your commitment, work and leadership make a difference in the lives of patients and their families every day and help to ensure everyone has the opportunity to reach their highest potential for health.

 

Related News Articles

Headline
Use resources from AHA’s social media toolkit to promote 2027 open enrollment
The AHA has released a social media toolkit with sample posts and graphics encouraging people to sign up for 2027 health coverage via the Health Insurance…
Headline
Agencies finalize updates to insurer transparency requirements
Multiple changes to transparency in coverage requirements for insurers were finalized Oct. 5 by the Departments of the Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human…
Headline
AHA comments to MedPAC on differences in post-acute care use between MA, fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries
The AHA provided comments to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission Oct. 2 on a discussion from the commission’s September meeting on its examination of…
Headline
AHA, others file amicus brief supporting hospital in challenge to Lilly 340B policy
The AHA, the New Hampshire Hospital Association and 340B Health have filed an amicus brief supporting Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital’s request for a…
Headline
CMS finalizes GLOBE drug pricing model
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Sept. 30 finalized its Global Benchmark for Efficient Drug Pricing Model, also known as the GLOBE Model. The…
Headline
HHS clarifies when state Medicaid agencies can use patient SUD records to verify exemption from community engagement requirements
The Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights released new guidance on statutory and regulatory requirements under 42 CFR Part 2, which…