Dr. Streiffer recommended in the report that rural hospitals collaborate with regional centers and focus on primary care — perhaps even making old-fashioned house calls.
“Hospitals will become only intensive care units, operating rooms and procedure rooms,” Dr. Streiffer said in the report.
Additionally, he recommended Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley (R) accept President Barack Obama’s request — unpopular with Republican governors — to expand the state’s Medicaid program to cover more people in exchange for two years of full federal funding for the expansion. Coupled with better primary care access, that would decrease emergency room visits from the uninsured by enabling them to receive cheaper, preventive care from a primary physicians, according to the report.
More Articles on Rural Hospitals:
Hospital Executives Worry Fiscal Talks Will Further Cut Medicare
5 Ways Population Health is Transforming Hospital Strateg
Study: Medical Homes Reduce Cost for Complex Patients
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.