MedicalGPS is proud to say our workload and our database just took a step towards getting a lot bigger.  We are privileged to announce two new opportunities with our M3-Patient Experience services.  

Effective January 1 Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) began implementing M3-Patient Experience with HCA Physician Services, one of the largest operators of Medical Practices in the United States with over 350 locations nationally and managing over 1700 providers.  We will also have the privilege of working with First Onsite, an HCA subsidiary providing onsite healthcare clinics for employees and their families. 

We also were fortunate enough to receive a continuation and an agreement to grow the use of M3 with LifePoint Hospitals Physicians Services division.  We have been providing M3 services to LifePoint employed physicians during 2009 and plan to expand those services to independent providers associated with LifePoint during 2010.

M3-Patient Experience captures patient feedback electronically, eliminating manual survey tabulation. Survey results are delivered real-time via GPSMapping^®, MedicalGPS’ business intelligence solution.  M3-Patient Experience surveys each segment of the patient’s experience, from beginning to end and provides continuous monitoring and notification to leadership, real-time, whenever patient feedback warrants follow-up.

We try not to use our blog as an advertisement, but we are too excited about this news not to share it with you.  MedicalGPS has high expectations for 2010 and see the expansion with LifePoint and the addition of HCAPS as a springboard for growth. 

Another feature of M3 is the ability to benchmark patient feedback by provider to the MedicalGPS database as a whole or based on a providers’ specialty; so, we are excited to say, “Our M3-Patient Experience Database Just Got Bigger!”

—Marty Hudson

There is really no way to tell what the death toll is in Haiti.  The infrastructure in Haiti was so poor before the magnitude 7 earthquake; what is left is totally devastated.  Estimates are all over the board and very broad ranges are quoted.  100,000 to 200,000 dead, 250,000 injured, 1.5 million homeless…no one knows, and won’t know for a long time, but these numbers tell the story, the pictures tell the story, and the stories are endless. 

The really sad part is the corruption.  Fears of looting and violence keep aid groups and governments from moving as quickly as they would like.  The Haitian government is invisible, nobody has taken firm charge, and one report said the police have largely given up.  Getting into Haiti is a huge undertaking with the airport overly crowded with trying to increase flights in, and the port is in shambles. 

The Haitians need food and water.  Without water diarrhea is likely. Children, the weak and elderly will die unnecessarily from diarrheal disease that would be easily treated with water under normal circumstances.  Another major risk is bacterial infections where they have open untreated wounds.  Injuries are massive which include crushed or amputated limbs, compound fractures and lacerations.  Without quick treatment, these wounds will become infected.

Nashville’s former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, a heart-lung surgeon, is on a medical mission to earthquake-ravaged Haiti.  His office said in a news release that he arrived Monday at Port au Prince and will be stationed first at Baptist Mission Hospital.  He is working with the international relief agency Samaritan’s Purse.  Centennial Medical Center of Nashville donated both IV fluids and antibiotics among other critically needed medical supplies.

Haiti is a terribly corrupt country, but they need the world’s help.  Many innocent men, women and children are in dire need of food, water, shelter and medical help.  Do what you can to help.  Every community has something going on to collect supplies, food, water, clothing and money.  My only advice is, be careful when you give.  There are many reports of people taking advantage of this situation for personal gain.  Major organizations, Salvation Army, Red Cross, Samaritan’s Purse, and many more are legitimate ways to help.  Local churches are working together and with these organizations. 

Haiti needs our help.  For the Haitians, the worst is yet to come!

—Marty Hudson

As it comes down to the wire with the Healthcare Reform Bill being merged from the Senate and the House, cries of unconstitutionality of the bill begin.  Apparently several state attorneys general and trade associations have expressed concern.  It all comes down to the federal government ‘mandating’ insurance coverage.

Opposition states that the federal government has no authority to mandate health coverage or impose fines on those who don’t obtain coverage.  Supporters say it falls under the legislative power to levy taxes.

Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum released a statement in December saying:

“I have grave concerns about the constitutionality of this mandate. Such a ‘living tax’ is worrisome because it would be levied on a person who does nothing, a person who simply wishes not to be forced to buy health insurance coverage. Upon initial review, this appears to be contrary to the freedoms we, as Americans, have enjoyed for the past 233 years … Given these concerns, my office will conduct a review of the constitutionality of the healthcare bill’s individual mandate, specifically in regards to the Commerce Clause and Taxing Power set forth in the U.S. Constitution, and will evaluate Florida’s legal options.”   

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has sent a letter to legislators in Texas stating that Congress’s power to levy taxes is “not unlimited”. 

South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster and other state attorneys general challenged constitutionality over what is called the “Cornhusker Kickback,” which has the cost of all newly eligible Medicaid enrollees in Nebraska be paid for by the federal government, apparently to obtain the vote of Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson.  Seems there is a U.S. Supreme Court case that states that Congress does not possess the right under the Spending Power to demonstrate a ‘display of arbitrary power.’  

Word has it that several trade associations will challenge the Healthcare Reform Bill as well, arguing that the federal government is beyond its scope of authority in passing the bill or that the bill violates the equal protection clause of the constitution.

If any of this is true; if the expectation is that lawsuits will start to fly as soon as the Healthcare Reform Bill is passed; all because the Obama Administration and the Democrats are trying to ‘hurry’ the bill along; doesn’t it make sense to take the time to do it right; get it right; and get support?  How will it possibly help the American people if we pass a bill that will be tied up in court for years?  Force this bill and all I can say is… Let the Lawsuits Begin!

—Marty Hudson

Of course we saw, or at least should have seen, some of this coming.  The healthcare reform bill now being voted on by the Senate would change Medicare physician reimbursements to include nationwide quality measurements, according to a release from the Minnesota Medical Association, who is in support of the quality measurements.  While the AMA opposes the Senate provision, the Minnesota Medical Association has campaigned for it, saying its members receive relatively low Medicare reimbursements even though they perform well on quality measurements.  The proposed Medicare value index, to begin in 2012, would incorporate quality measures into payment rates.

Now don’t get me wrong.  I believe in good, quality healthcare.  I also happen to believe the USA has the best, high quality healthcare on the planet.  I also believe when you have free choice patients are allowed to choose high quality healthcare.  I am somewhat concerned under the current proposal patients will be told where to receive healthcare, high quality or low quality will have little to do with the decision; however, low quality care won’t pay as much as high quality care.  I am a firm believer in that docking a physician’s pay will not make him a better doctor.

The Secretary of Health and Human Services would work to establish uniform definitions for quality that would form the basis for the index.  The proposal is budget neutral and would take into account justifiable differences in Medicare spending.  Hence the title of this blog.  Throughout this bill it reeks of robbing Peter to pay Paul.  Someone has to pay for all the changes that will take place.  A quote I read a while back; “A government policy to rob Peter to pay Paul can be assured of the support of Paul.”  So, there is the question of the day; are you a Peter or a Paul?

—Marty Hudson