More competition will occur “across the acuity spectrum, particularly on the front-end where non-traditional competitors will get between more traditional providers and their patient at the earliest possible stage,” he wrote. “A successful response to this will either require significant rethinking of the entire patient experience and care re-design around the consumer versus ‘the system,’ or at the very least, some level of partnership that might reduce capital and technological spending, but which has the impact of resulting in a ‘half a loaf is better than none’ strategy.”
Mr. Holloran said the legislative environment has also significantly changed for nonprofit hospitals and health systems. As an example, he cited Democratic presidential hopefuls’ support for a “Medicare-for-All” approach.
“If constructed as an independent quasi-governmental authority where hospitals could negotiate rates and terms, this [approach] could expand coverage considerably to many patients who would then have insurance that pays at something close to commercial rates. Conversely, if public option prefers an add-on to Medicare, this could have the possibility of being a ‘back door’ to Medicare-for-all,” said Mr. Holloran.
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