Western Michigan: providers embark on journey to create a regional health care system

Article Abstract:

Eight Western Michigan hospitals have formed a regional health network serving 1.8 million people. The anchor facility, Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI, formed task forces to study the best way to organize the network and which regional hospitals would make the best partners. Establishing trust among the different facilities proved to be one of the most important components of the planning process. The network emphasizes primary care and the use of existing facilities. It includes electronic medical records, a helicopter trauma transport system and an on-line clinical information and centralized billing system.

Michigan, Hospitals, Hospital administration, Regional medical programs

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Benefits equity: providers anticipate core mental health coverage

Article Abstract:

Hillary Rodham Clinton's health care reform proposal may include some type of insurance for mental health and substance abuse, areas which have seen increased demand for treatment in the 1980s. Psychiatric hospital admissions rose 32.7% between 1981 and 1991, in contrast to a 14.7% drop in medical hospital admissions. During this time, however, payers have pressured hospitals to reduce hospitalization times; the average stay in a psychiatric hospital dropped to 61.1 days in 1991 from 113.8 days in 1981. Additional information about hospital management and treatment outcomes is discussed.

Psychiatric hospitals, Specialty hospitals exc. psychiatric, Residential care, Care and treatment, Planning, Statistics, Substance abuse, Health care reform, Insurance, Psychotherapy patients, Substance abuse treatment, Mental health benefits

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Capital decisions

Article Abstract:

Healthcare organizations have much less capital available for investment, forcing executives to make difficult investment decisions. Five senior healthcare executives comment on their organizations' capital allocation strategies. Rick Doxtator, CFO of Albuquerque, NM's Lovelace Health System, said that the company has ceased trying to own all its facilities and is instead looking for partners.

Health care industry, Investments, Cover Story, Interview, Charter Medical Corp., OrNda HealthCorp, ORND, Crawford, Mac, Greater Southeast Healthcare System, Pitts, Keith, Tong, Dalton, Townsend, Douglas, Doxtator, Rick, Coastal Healthcare Group Inc., Lovelace Health Systems Inc., CGRP

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