State government and the Kentucky Hospital Association will co-host a summit for hospital CEOs, hospital board members and other elected officials and decision makers on the future of health-care delivery in Kentucky on the afternoon of Jan. 29 at the Capital Plaza Hotel in Frankfort.
“The health-care market and delivery systems all across the nation are currently undergoing an unprecedented transformation,” Gov. Steve Beshear said in a statement. “The rapid pace of this transition poses challenges to healthcare stakeholders, both rural and urban, that are facing fundamental changes to how they deliver care to patients in our communities.”
State Health Secretary Audrey Tayse Haynes said the state "has been very successful in getting Kentuckians enrolled in quality, affordable health-care coverage," but "We must now translate that coverage into quality, efficient and effective treatment. . . . The methods of treatment delivery must adapt to accommodate this new population of patients.”
Under federal health reform, hospitals are moving from volume-based to value-based reimbursements, and getting a larger share of Medicare and Medicaid patients, and for some that has meant empty beds, lower revenues and in some cases bankruptcy. Many Kentuckians have chronic illnesses, "which result in very low margins for some providers," a state news release said.
Letters of invitation have been sent to all members of the General Assembly and hospital CEOs. Space is limited, so invited guests are encouraged to register soon.