GREENVILLE, Miss.–You could see some Delta hospitals begin to share resources, eventually sharing resources, doctors, and services, if the suggestions in a new report due out next week are followed. That report comes from Baker-Donelson, a research firm in Nashville, which spent a year and a half studying health care in the delta.
“I feel you’ll have the largest healthcare desert in America and you’ll be staring at a situation that will take hundreds of millions of dollars to correct,” said Dick Cowart, chair of the firm’s Health Law and Public Policy Department, when asked what would happen if no action was taken.
Cowart spoke this week at a joint meeting of the state Senate and House Public Health and Welfare committees at the state Capitol. His report is expected to be out for public consumption next week.
He pointed out the Delta infant mortality, or babies who die before their first birthday, is three times the national average; maternal mortality, or mother who die in child birth or because of it, is twice the average of neighboring states; the rate of diabetes in the Delta is three times the national average, which leads to the highest amputation rate in America.
In addition, the healthcare shortfalls include what he calls an “erosion of care” which is both caused by and has led to doctors departing. The Delta, with 224 doctors, is now 100 doctors short of where it needs to be. Manu of the doctors who remain are in their 60s or 70s, which means they could retire soon.
Most Delta hospitals were built as part of a grant program in the mid 20th century, and most operate independently and in some cases are the top employers of the counties they serve. Yet, most are having financial difficulty, some to the point of having to offer modified care, or are in danger of closing.
“The two largest hospitals in the Delta, when I got the call, were not gonna meet their payroll. It was that close,” he said, pointing out that if payroll is not met even once, you can expect healthcare professionals to quit and go somewhere else.
“They want something different. They are looking themselves to try and do it a different way,” said Cowart.
The firm’s suggestion, based upon what has worked in other states, is to modify the way hospitals approach business. Though Clarksdale and Rolling Fork are expected to have new hospitals built, the plan would not call for the necessity of new construction. Rather, it suggests the sharing of resources, doctors and services, in government-operated health systems, much like the privately-run Baptist Health System, or North Mississippi Medical Center system in Tupelo.
The IT systems would operate in tandem, sharing services, possibly saving millions of dollars, and sharing records, making it easier for people to go wherever they wanted in the system for care.
Joining would be voluntary.
“The expansion of Medicaid would be a very favorable event,” said Cowart, when asked by Rep. John Hines, who represents Washington, Bolivar and Issaquena counties. That means Medicaid would help significantly in making each institution financially solvent and stable.
Hines, though, had other concerns. He had questions about who would serve on the governing board. Cowart answered that the governor would appoint three people, the legislature would appoint two, and others would be added as hospitals joined the system.
“Don’t you think it would’ve made sense to involve the people who have been investing in these particular entities to come to the table prior to you presenting a proposal?” asked Hines, saying he had talked with county supervisors who knew nothing about the proposal. “I’m not against a regional approach. But, the proposal that you present and the information I’ve read, I do not agree with.”
He was not specific on what information he believed to be errant.
It is still unclear what proposal for Medicaid expansion, if any, may be presented in this year’s legislative session.
