Statewide Hospital Association (non-profit)

Health care services for medically indigent population

Operating margins at hospitals throughout the state were vanishing due to large and growing amounts of uncompensated care. Fifteen percent of the state’s population had no health insurance coverage. Hospital cost-shifting of indigent care to private employers was becoming intolerable and damaging to hospital reputations.

Develop fresh ideas and cost-effective methods for dealing with the impending hospital crisis. Explain to hospital executives and other key stakeholders statewide for implementation.

Formed an ad-hoc coalition of key stakeholders to discuss all aspects of the problem. Enlisted key legislators in the process. Helped draft three pieces of long-term relief legislation and secured support from business leaders, statewide media, and other opinion leaders.

All three pieces of legislation moved through the legislature that session and were signed into law by the Governor. A more equitable solution to a thorny problem was acknowledged by all stakeholders. (Yes, we received one of the bill-signing pens from the Governor.)