New Fiscal Year Begins- BWH Bulletin - For and about the People of Brigham and Women's Hospital
New Fiscal Year Begins- BWH Bulletin - For and about the People of Brigham and Women's Hospital
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October 6, 2000
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In This Issue:
JCAHO survey nears
Do you know how patient learning needs are met?
Physicians Recognized
BWH Launches Smoking Cessation Program
ASCEND Team Graduates
Professorship honors Cotran’s legacy
New Fiscal Year Begins
: October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
2001 Holiday Schedule
Challenges Remain The Same
As the hospital begins its new fiscal year, the health care environment continues to create challenges for BWH and all hospitals across the nation. As the impact of managed care penetration becomes more prevalent in previously untouched parts of the United States, the national dialogue on health care issues has begun to intensify. At BWH, the hospital is preparing to close its books on FY ‘00 with a small operating margin, up slightly from the prior year. While breaking even is considered a significant feat in an era of declining reimbursements from government sources and managed care providers, strong margins are necessary to further hospital missions, continue growth and invest in the community. “Hospitals across the country are struggling under the cutbacks in Medicare, insufficient Medicaid payments and continued shrinking payments from private insurers,” said BWH President Jeffrey Otten. “We have worked hard to advocate for greater assistance while steadfastly guarding against the erosion of patient care.” Otten, who completed a one-year term as chairman of the Massachusetts Hospital Association last spring, has traveled in recent weeks to Washington to make the case for further BBA relief. Additionally, he and colleagues from Partners HealthCare recently won Medicaid relief at the State House on behalf of all Massachusetts hospitals. “The new fiscal year will bring about renewed challenges,” said Otten. “I am proud of the way this hospital has responded to these challenges in the past and I am confident that we will continue to succeed in the future. We have in place a sound approach through our partnerships with Faulkner Hospital and Partners HealthCare to pursue a growth strategy that will allow us to continue to provide the very best care in the nation into the foreseeable future.” BWH will host a Town Meeting with Otten, Chief Medical Officer Anthony Whittemore and Chief Operating Officer Matt Van Vranken on November 15, 2000, from 11 a.m. to 12 noon in the Bornstein Amphitheater. Each will be available to answer questions employees have about this or any other topic related to BWH.