Healthcare Chronicles: Access and Coverage for All
December 30, 2009
Healthcare Chronicles
by Anthony R. Tersigni, Ed.D., FACHE
This report originally appeared in the December 2009 issue of DOTmed Business News
A staggering number of Americans are currently living without health coverage. Many of us count the uninsured among our families and friends, and in today's troubled economy, more Americans are finding themselves without jobs or are otherwise unable to afford health insurance. Consider these alarming statistics: there are more than 46 million people in the U.S. who are not covered by health insurance and millions more with inadequate health insurance.
I believe there can be only one goal or destination for health reform: 100% access and 100% coverage for all American people. As of this writing, Congress continues to shape the legislation that will be the letter of the law for health reform. We encourage decision makers to be aware of the entire scope of the problem as the debate continues.
We see firsthand the human impact of millions of Americans who are either underinsured or uninsured. Every 34 seconds of every day last year, Ascension Health's hospitals and other healthcare facilities provided care for an uninsured person. As the nation's largest nonprofit healthcare system, Ascension Health is on the frontline of the struggle to provide healthcare for all.
Let's not forget costs. Healthcare costs are rising and there is no end in sight for this trend. We currently spend more than $2.5 trillion a year on healthcare in America, and according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, health-care spending accounts for 16% of our GDP. In addition, CMS estimates that unless health reforms are put in place, total healthcare spending in this country will rise to 20 percent of the GDP. By 2016, our healthcare spending could be more than $4 trillion.
The fact that we spend more money than any other country does not mean we are healthier or that we receive greater care or see better outcomes. The Commonwealth Fund recently conducted a survey of primary care physicians and patients in order to rate the performance of healthcare systems in five other nations - Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. According to survey data, the U.S. healthcare system ranks last or next to last on five key dimensions of performance, including quality, access, efficiency, equity and healthy lives. Much of this is due to there being an unacceptable number of people without health insurance.
We at Ascension Health have made a promise to provide "Healthcare That Leaves No One Behind." This promise is the foundation of our commitment as healthcare providers to advocate for and help lead the transformation of healthcare. It is grounded in the centuries-old commitment of Ascension Health's Sponsors - the Congregation of St. Joseph, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and four provinces of the Daughters of Charity. Our organization recognizes that healthcare access is fundamental to human dignity. We understand the need for a healthcare system that can provide care throughout every stage of life.
Our 100% Campaign has developed a set of Guiding Features we look for in health reform. We want to see everyone in America have access to healthcare and health coverage by 2020. We would not be achieving true health reform if we settled for anything short of that. Our goals are simple, but require significant cooperation from businesses, healthcare providers and government agencies. Everyone must share the responsibility if it is to work. Only such a coordinated effort will lead to good health for every citizen of this country, regardless of age or socioeconomic circumstances. Access and coverage for all is fundamental to the structure of a civilized society.
Anthony R. Tersigni, Ed.D., FACHE, is President and CEO of Ascension Health, the nation's largest Catholic and largest nonprofit health system. Consistent with its Mission, Ascension Health cares for all persons, with special attention to those who are poor or vulnerable. Last year, the organization provided $868 million in Care of Persons Who Are Poor and Community Benefit. Ascension Health is comprised of 113,000 associates serving in more than 500 locations in 19 states and the District of Columbia.
This report originally appeared in the December 2009 issue of DOTmed Business News
A staggering number of Americans are currently living without health coverage. Many of us count the uninsured among our families and friends, and in today's troubled economy, more Americans are finding themselves without jobs or are otherwise unable to afford health insurance. Consider these alarming statistics: there are more than 46 million people in the U.S. who are not covered by health insurance and millions more with inadequate health insurance.
I believe there can be only one goal or destination for health reform: 100% access and 100% coverage for all American people. As of this writing, Congress continues to shape the legislation that will be the letter of the law for health reform. We encourage decision makers to be aware of the entire scope of the problem as the debate continues.
We see firsthand the human impact of millions of Americans who are either underinsured or uninsured. Every 34 seconds of every day last year, Ascension Health's hospitals and other healthcare facilities provided care for an uninsured person. As the nation's largest nonprofit healthcare system, Ascension Health is on the frontline of the struggle to provide healthcare for all.
Let's not forget costs. Healthcare costs are rising and there is no end in sight for this trend. We currently spend more than $2.5 trillion a year on healthcare in America, and according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, health-care spending accounts for 16% of our GDP. In addition, CMS estimates that unless health reforms are put in place, total healthcare spending in this country will rise to 20 percent of the GDP. By 2016, our healthcare spending could be more than $4 trillion.
The fact that we spend more money than any other country does not mean we are healthier or that we receive greater care or see better outcomes. The Commonwealth Fund recently conducted a survey of primary care physicians and patients in order to rate the performance of healthcare systems in five other nations - Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. According to survey data, the U.S. healthcare system ranks last or next to last on five key dimensions of performance, including quality, access, efficiency, equity and healthy lives. Much of this is due to there being an unacceptable number of people without health insurance.
We at Ascension Health have made a promise to provide "Healthcare That Leaves No One Behind." This promise is the foundation of our commitment as healthcare providers to advocate for and help lead the transformation of healthcare. It is grounded in the centuries-old commitment of Ascension Health's Sponsors - the Congregation of St. Joseph, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and four provinces of the Daughters of Charity. Our organization recognizes that healthcare access is fundamental to human dignity. We understand the need for a healthcare system that can provide care throughout every stage of life.
Our 100% Campaign has developed a set of Guiding Features we look for in health reform. We want to see everyone in America have access to healthcare and health coverage by 2020. We would not be achieving true health reform if we settled for anything short of that. Our goals are simple, but require significant cooperation from businesses, healthcare providers and government agencies. Everyone must share the responsibility if it is to work. Only such a coordinated effort will lead to good health for every citizen of this country, regardless of age or socioeconomic circumstances. Access and coverage for all is fundamental to the structure of a civilized society.
Anthony R. Tersigni, Ed.D., FACHE, is President and CEO of Ascension Health, the nation's largest Catholic and largest nonprofit health system. Consistent with its Mission, Ascension Health cares for all persons, with special attention to those who are poor or vulnerable. Last year, the organization provided $868 million in Care of Persons Who Are Poor and Community Benefit. Ascension Health is comprised of 113,000 associates serving in more than 500 locations in 19 states and the District of Columbia.
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