In a new commentary for Modern Healthcare, Anthony R. Tersigni, EdD, FACHE, Ascension President and Chief Executive Officer, calls for continuing important work toward guaranteeing 100 percent access and affordability in healthcare, and for doing more to improve health for all Americans.
“While there are different ideas about how to accomplish these goals, there also are broad areas of agreement and opportunity,” he says.
Tony says in order to continue the transition from fee-for-volume to fee-for-value, healthcare providers need to focus on providing accessible and affordable care, accomplishing mental and behavioral health reform, and combating astronomical prescription drug price increases.
“While it is clear that major changes are going to be made to the Affordable Care Act, Congress will have an opportunity to reset the debate to one that is more bipartisan in nature,” he says. “But we must not take our eye off the ultimate goal: to ensure that every American has access to quality, affordable healthcare. As President-elect Donald Trump has noted, ‘We must also make sure that no one slips through the cracks simply because they cannot afford insurance.’ …
“We agree with the president-elect’s healthcare reform policy paper, which noted, ‘It is the moral responsibility of a nation’s government to do what is best for the people and what is in the interest of securing the future of the nation.’ That policy is consistent with our system’s Mission to sustain and improve the health of all individuals and communities.
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