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CHA held a statewide media briefing Oct. 26 on the release of new research showing the value of integration in health care delivery in California.
The report, released by national health care consulting firm Kaufman Hall, sheds light on the importance and value of hospital and health system partnerships in protecting access and improving the quality of patient care in communities across California. In California, 72% of community hospitals have partnered with larger health care systems (nationally, 67% of community hospitals are part of integrated systems). In addition to the pandemic, the forces driving integration include changing demographics, innovations in care delivery, and the emergence of non-traditional providers that influence how and where consumers receive care.
Participants on the media call included CHA President & CEO Carmela Coyle; Judson Howe, President, Adventist Health Mendocino County; and Craig Leach, President & CEO, Torrance Memorial Medical Center.
“In many parts of California — especially rural areas and low-income communities — access to health care services is at risk,” said Carmela Coyle, President & CEO of the California Hospital Association. “Partnering with others to deliver care can provide the financial stability many at-risk hospitals need to continue providing 24/7 patient care services to their communities. Many financially struggling hospitals are only open today because they have partnered with integrated health systems.”
CHA’s advocacy team will use the report in pre-legislative session briefings with key members of the state Senate and Assembly and their staff. In addition, CHA’s website also features key elements of the report and its highlights, including a description of integration case studies in communities across the state. A social media campaign will further highlight the many benefits hospital partnerships bring to California. will further highlight the many benefits hospital partnerships bring to California.
