September 3, 2010
Volume 54, Issue 35
The second meeting of the Wisconsin Economic Summit series rolled into La Crosse August 26, and brought with it a sobering assessment of the state budget and its impact on the state economy.
Some 100 people, including state and local politicians, business people and economic development experts, attended the summit and took part in breakout sessions focused on solutions for specific areas of the state budget.
WHA’s Eric Borgerding moderated the session on Medicaid and human services spending. A panel comprised of county human services directors, advocacy organizations and health care providers, including Dr. Jen Braunschweig, WHA member from Gundersen Lutheran, interacted with audience members to develop options for moderating Medicaid spending.
Just a few of the ideas that came out of the session included:
Based on the group’s discussions, a set of options will be presented at the October 5 summit in Milwaukee and further honed for presentation to the next Legislature and Governor later this year.
During the health care session, it was noted that while Medicaid spending and enrollment has increased substantially in recent years, the amount of state tax dollars (GPR or "general purpose revenue") being used to fund the program has fallen precipitously. According to data from the Legislative Fiscal Bureau, GPR Medicaid spending has fallen from $1.7 billion in FY07 to $1.4 billion in FY11 – an 18 percent decrease.
|
Medicaid Enrollment |
GPR |
GPR as a % of Medicaid Budget |
|
|
2007 |
760,000 |
$1.7 billion |
38% |
|
2011 |
1,100,000 (+45%) |
$1.4 billion (-18%) |
18% |
"The fact is, we are treating a Medicaid population that has grown nearly 45 percent since 2007 with
18 percent fewer state dollars in the program," Borgerding said. "That information will surprise those who believe Medicaid is busting the state budget and it’s a crucial detail for legislators, the next Governor and those who want to target what they perceive as out of control GPR spending in Medicaid as a means to balance the budget."
For the past several years the state has been increasing other forms of revenue (primarily federal dollars) to pay for Medicaid program expansions while at the same reducing and/or reallocating GPR dollars once used for Medicaid. The GPR share of Medicaid’s funding has fallen from 38 percent in FY07, to 22.5 percent in FY11. Some of those dollars will run out next year when the enhanced federal match for Medicaid (FMAP) runs out on June 30, 2011. But even with those dollars out of the equation, the trend of reducing/reallocating GPR from Medicaid is still substantial.
Topinka Named WHA’s Member on IPFCF BoardWHA President Steve Brenton this week named Ralph Topinka, vice president and general counsel for Mercy Health System in Janesville, the Wisconsin Hospital Association’s member on the Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund ("the Fund") Board. Topinka replaces Marilu Bintz, M.D., Gundersen Lutheran, who has represented Wisconsin hospitals on the Board for the past two years.
The Fund, created by the Legislature in 1975, pays medical malpractice claims that are in excess of required primary insurance amounts of $1 million per occurrence and $3 million annual aggregate. The Fund is governed by a 13-member Board that includes a member named by WHA, two members named by the Wisconsin Medical Society, three insurance representatives, a member named by the Wisconsin Association of Justice (formerly the Wisconsin Academy of Trial Attorneys), a member named by the State Bar Association, and four public members appointed by the Governor. The Commissioner of Insurance chairs the Board.
At Mercy, Topinka is responsible for coordinating legal and regulatory affairs for the multi-system integrated health system that includes three hospitals, more than 50 physician clinics, more than 250 employed physicians, and a health insurance company. He is also responsible for system-wide risk management and has executive responsibility for several services and an accredited Family Medicine Residency Program.
"Ralph, with his strong and diverse background, will be an incredible asset to the Board as it wrangles with important issues that ultimately will affect health care access, quality, and affordability in Wisconsin," said WHA President Steve Brenton.
"Hospitals and health systems have a vested interest in the Fund," noted Eric Borgerding, WHA executive vice president. "The Fund assets, a large percentage of which are from fees paid by hospitals and health systems for their own and their physicians’ coverage, are an important part of Wisconsin’s well-balanced medical liability system." Borgerding continued, "Decisions made by the Board, and those made by the Legislature and Governor, affect that well-balanced system. We need to protect the system on all fronts."
"I thank Dr. Bintz for her service to the Board as WHA’s member for the past two years," Brenton said. "Her commitment to making health care in Wisconsin second to none is clear through her active engagement with her patients, her system, and the broader community."
Political Action Spotlight: 2010 Fundraising Campaign Approaches $190K MarkNow almost four months into the 2010 Campaign, the Wisconsin Hospitals State PAC and Conduit fundraising campaign has raised nearly $190,000. The $187,803 total raised to date accounts for 87 percent of the $215,000 goal. The total that has been raised so far is $61,000 ahead of last year and $32,000 ahead of the record-breaking 2008 election year!
To date the Campaign has raised this total from 388 individuals, which is an increase of 106 individuals in the last month totaling almost $40,000 in August alone. Those 388 contributors are affiliated with 84 hospitals/hospital systems.
Contributions to candidate campaigns are also up as disbursements in 2010 have totaled more than $182,000. This is an increase of $126,000 over this time last year and $67,000 ahead of 2008, the last election year.
Contributors should have received their first 2010 issue of the electronic newsletter "Political Connection" to help you stay up to date on important issues to this election season. Contributors are encouraged to take our informal poll in the newsletter.
Individual contributors’ names are published on pages 8-9 by amount categories in alphabetical order. They will be published again in two weeks. For more information, contact Jodi Bloch at 608-217-9508 or Jenny Boese at 608-274-1820.
Contributions Ranging from $1 - $499
Adams, Daniel Memorial Medical Center - Ashland
Anderson, Mark Sacred Heart Hospital
Appleton, Karl HSHS-Eastern Wisconsin Division
Arendt, Kathleen Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Arriola, Josephine St. Joseph’s Hospital
Ashenhurst, Karla Ministry Health Care
Axelsen, Kathern Sacred Heart Hospital
Ayers, Mandy Wisconsin Hospital Association
Baker, Christine St. Mary’s Hospital
Ballentine, Anne Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare
Bares, Diane Aurora Health Care
Barkovich, Catherine Sacred Heart Hospital
Beckler, Rick Sacred Heart Hospital
Beglinger, Joan St. Mary’s Hospital
Bell, Kristine Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Benz, Staci Children’s Hospital and Health System
Bernklau, Robert Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Biros, Marilyn SSM Health Care-Wisconsin
Bliven, David Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Block, Jennifer Sacred Heart Hospital
Bloom, Deborah St. Joseph’s Hospital
Bosio, David Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Bosman-Clark, Jane Children’s Hospital and Health System
Boson, Ann Ministry Saint Joseph’s Children’s Hospital
Boudreau, Jenny Wisconsin Hospital Association
Bowman, Andrew Sacred Heart Hospital
Braddock, Jonathan WHA Financial Solutions
Braunschweig, Jennifer Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center
Brenholt, Craig St. Mary’s Hospital
Brenny, Terrence Stoughton Hospital Association
Brown, John St. Mary’s Hospital
Bryans, Richard Sacred Heart Hospital
Buettner, Susan Aurora Health Care
Burgener, Jean Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Burtch, Sue Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Busch, Rebecca Spooner Health System
Buss, Diane St. Mary’s Hospital
Calhoun, William Mercy Medical Center
Campbell, Mark Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Campbell-Kelz, Nancy Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Carlson, Carol Sacred Heart Hospital
Casey, Candy Columbia Center
Cieslak Duchek, Mary Aurora Health Care
Clark, Mary Ann Cumberland Memorial Hospital
Connor, Michael Aurora Health Care
Conwell, Lisa WHA Financial Solutions
Coon, Lawrence Hall, Render, Killian, Heath & Lyman
Cox, Tamarah Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Cryns, Janice Children’s Hospital and Health System
Dalebroux, Steve St. Mary’s Hospital
Danner, Dean Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Danzinger, Marcia Sacred Heart Hospital
Davis, Kathleen Children’s Hospital and Health System
DeMars, Nancy Sacred Heart Hospital
Derks, Darla Sacred Heart Hospital
Dettman, Amy Bellin Hospital
Dietrich, Dean Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Dietsche, James Bellin Hospital
Dillon, Michael Sacred Heart Hospital
Dixon, Janet Children’s Hospital and Health System
Dodd, Petra Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Donlon, Marcia Holy Family Memorial, Inc.
Dorpat, Denice Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Drengler, Kathryn Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Dryden, Shawn Sacred Heart Hospital
Dwyer, Amy Sacred Heart Hospital
Eady, Diane Sacred Heart Hospital
Eddy, Lee Anne Children’s Hospital and Health System
Elliott, Roger St. Joseph’s Hospital
Entenmann, Kim St. Joseph’s Hospital
Erickson, William Ministry Saint Mary’s Hospital
Ertl, Denise Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Evans, Kim Bellin Hospital
Facey, Alice St. Clare Hospital and Health Services
Feeney, John Aurora Medical Center in Oshkosh
Feldhausen, Mary St. Vincent Hospital
Fields, Mary Aurora Health Care
Fochs, Mary Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Francaviglia, Stephen Aurora Health Care
Fuchs, Thomas St. Joseph’s Hospital
Furlong, Marian Hudson Hospital
Gantner, Sue Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Garavet, Scott Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Gengler, Tim Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Giedd, Janice St. Joseph’s Hospital
Gigot, Kelly St. Vincent Hospital
Gjolberg, Skip HSHS-Western Wisconsin Division
Goelzer, Mark Mercy Health System Corporation
Goffinet, Jo St. Mary’s Hospital
Gormican, John J. Agnesian HealthCare/St. Agnes Hospital
Govier, Mary Holy Family Memorial, Inc.
Grohskopf, Kevin St. Clare Hospital and Health Services
Gruber, Richard Mercy Health System Corporation
Gullicksrud, Lynn Sacred Heart Hospital
Gutekunst, Penny Children’s Hospital and Health System
Habel, Heidi Hayward Area Memorial Hospital
Hafeman, Paula St. Vincent Hospital
Haggerty, Peggy Columbus Community Hospital
Halida, Cheryl St. Joseph’s Hospital
Hammel, Jennifer Children’s Hospital and Health System
Hansen, Carrie Ministry Health Care
Hassemer, Robert Sacred Heart Hospital
Hattem, Marita Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Hedrington, Brian Sacred Heart Hospital
Hennessy, Candace Aurora Health Care
Hessert, Peter Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Hink, Dawn Sacred Heart Hospital
Hiremath, Satchi Aurora Health Care
Hoege, Beverly Reedsburg Area Medical Center
Holmes, Sheri Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Huettl, Patricia Holy Family Memorial, Inc.
Hundt, Pamela Sacred Heart Hospital
Jelle, Laura St. Clare Hospital and Health Services
Jensen, Christopher Children’s Hospital and Health System
Jensen, Russell St. Mary’s Hospital
Jentsch, Lisa Children’s Hospital and Health System
Johnson, Charles SSM Health Care-Wisconsin
Johnson, Kimberly Sacred Heart Hospital
Johnson, Patricia Hayward Area Memorial Hospital
Johnson, Roy Children’s Hospital and Health System
Jones, Linda Children’s Hospital and Health System
Karow, Deborah Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Kelsey Foley, Kathy Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Kempen, Jacob Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Kerecman, Laura Children’s Hospital and Health System
Kerfoot, Karlene Aurora Health Care
King, Steve St. Mary’s Hospital
Klay, Lois St. Joseph’s Hospital
Kleaveland Kupczak, Sarah Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare
Kluesner, Kevin Aurora Health Care-South Region
Klunk, Timothy Children’s Hospital and Health System
Krueger, Mary Ministry St. Clare’s Hospital
Krueger, Pamela Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Lange, George Westgate Medical Group, CSMCP
Larson, William St. Joseph’s Hospital
Lathrop, Randall Sacred Heart Hospital
Leonard, Mary Kay St. Mary’s Hospital
Logemann, Tim Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Lorenz, Bruce Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Lortscher, Loren Sacred Heart Hospital
Lucas, Roger Aspirus Wausau Hospital
LuCore, Patricia Sacred Heart Hospital
Mackey, Theresa Sacred Heart Hospital
Margan, Rob Wisconsin Hospital Association
Marsch, Jean St. Vincent Hospital
Mathews, Larry St. Vincent Hospital
Maurer, Mary Holy Family Memorial, Inc.
McKevett, Timothy Beloit Memorial Hospital
McNally, Maureen Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital
Meicher, John St. Mary’s Hospital
Mello, Sadie Sacred Heart Hospital
Miller, Clint Spooner Health System
Mohr, Carol Sacred Heart Hospital
Moon-Mogush, Cindy Aurora Health Care
Moraski, Kevin Ministry Health Care
Mourey, Gerald Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Mulder, Doris Beloit Memorial Hospital
Nelson, James Fort HealthCare
Nelson, Mark Sacred Heart Hospital
Nevers, Rick Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Nockerts, Steve The Richland Hospital, Inc.
Norton, Marcella Aspirus Wausau Hospital
O’Keefe, Robert Aurora Health Care
Olive, Willie Children’s Hospital and Health System
Olkowski, Leland Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Ordinans, Karen Children’s Hospital and Health System
Ose, Peggy Riverview Hospital Association
Osen, John Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Padilla, Gilbert Sacred Heart Hospital
Page, Alison Baldwin Area Medical Center
Palecek, Steve St. Joseph’s Hospital
Pascente, Maria Aurora Health Care
Paul, Mary Columbia St. Mary’s, Inc. - Milwaukee
Peck, Lori Memorial Health Center
Pedretti, Julie Children’s Hospital and Health System
Peickert, Barbara Hayward Area Memorial Hospital
Peiffer, Susan Sacred Heart Hospital
Pempek, Kalynn Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Pennebecker, Allen Ministry Health Care
Perlock, Sandra Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Peterson, Doulas Chippewa Valley Hospital
Pichotta, Naomi Aurora Health Care
Piehl, Steven Children’s Hospital and Health System
Pielhop, Judy Sacred Heart Hospital
Piper, Barbara Sacred Heart Hospital
Pirsig-Anderson, Jane Aurora Health Care
Podhora, Ida Children’s Hospital and Health System
Polenz, Scott Memorial Medical Center - Neillsville
Potts, Dennis Aurora Health Care
Powell, Stacey Sacred Heart Hospital
Preston, Mark Sacred Heart Hospital
Priest, Geoffrey Meriter Hospital
Proehl, Sheila Hudson Hospital
Prunty, Brian Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Reinke, Mary Aurora Health Care
Richbourg, Mary Sacred Heart Hospital
Roberts, Paula Children’s Hospital and Health System
Roberts, Phillip Columbus Community Hospital
Rocheleau, John Bellin Hospital
Roethle, Linda Bellin Psychiatric Center
Ross, Forrest WHA Financial Solutions
Rouzer, Cindy Spooner Health System
Rowe, Jeanne Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Rozenfeld, Jonathan St. Mary’s Hospital
Rubenzer, Deanne St. Joseph’s Hospital
Rudolph, Wade Sacred Heart Hospital
Rueber, Joel Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Sachse, Kelly Children’s Hospital and Health System
Schade, Randy Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Schaetzl, Ron St. Clare Hospital and Health Services
Schraufnagel, Patricia Memorial Medical Center - Ashland
Schroeder, Larry Sauk Prairie Memorial Hospital
Schweitzer, Susan Columbus Community Hospital
Scinto, Jeanne Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Sczygelski, Sidney Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Sheehan, Heather Hayward Area Memorial Hospital
Skulan-Balmer, Anna Sacred Heart Hospital
Spieckerman, Jill Ministry Saint Mary’s Hospital
Stanford, Cynthia Wisconsin Hospital Association
Stelzer, Jason St. Clare Hospital and Health Services
Stine, Stephen Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Stone, Stacy Sacred Heart Hospital
Storing, Sandy Sacred Heart Hospital
Stout, Johni WHA Financial Solutions
Strobel, Donald Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Swessel, Catherine Children’s Hospital and Health System
Tandberg, Christine Sacred Heart Hospital
Tapper, Joy Milwaukee Health Care Partnership
Tarantino, Jennifer Aurora Health Care
Thiel, Mike Children’s Hospital and Health System
Todd, Jeffrey Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Turner, Sally Aurora Health Care
Twinem, Thomas Children’s Hospital and Health System
Vakoc, Patricia Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Verploegh, Alan Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Voelker, Thomas Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Vogler, Linda Sacred Heart Hospital
Vogt, Paula Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Walker, Troy St. Clare Hospital and Health Services
Warren, Scott Memorial Medical Center - Ashland
Watts, Susan St. Vincent Hospital
Weden, Mary Children’s Hospital and Health System
Werlein, George Sacred Heart Hospital
Winter, Jean Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Wise, Richard Sacred Heart Hospital
Witt, Heather Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Wymelenberg, Tracy Aurora Health Care
Zeller, Brad
Hayward Area Memorial Hospital
Contributions Ranging from $500 - $999
Andersen, Travis St. Elizabeth Hospital
Anderson, Rhonda Columbia St. Mary’s, Inc.
Anderson, Sandy St. Clare Hospital and Health Services
Bayer, Tom St. Vincent Hospital
Bonin, Christopher Aurora Health Care
Borgerding, Dana
Brenton, Mary E.
Bukowski, Cathy Ministry Health Care’s Howard Young Medical Center
Butler, John St. Mary’s Hospital
Callies, Julie WHA Information Center
Carlson, Dan Bay Area Medical Center
Chess, Eva Aurora Health Care
Clapp, Nicole Grant Regional Health Center
Clough, Sheila Ministry Health Care’s Howard Young Medical Center
Coffman, Joan St. Joseph’s Hospital
Deich, Faye Sacred Heart Hospital
Farkas, David Aurora Health Care
Frank, Jennifer Wisconsin Hospital Association
Geboy, Scott Hall, Render, Killian, Heath & Lyman
Grundstrom, David Flambeau Hospital
Heifetz, Michael SSM Health Care-Wisconsin
Hinton, George Aurora Sinai Medical Center
Hyland, Carol Agnesian HealthCare/St. Agnes Hospital
Hymans, Daniel Memorial Medical Center - Ashland
Jenks, David Aurora Health Care
Just, Lisa Aurora Medical Center in Hartford
Kellar, Richard Aurora West Allis Medical Center
Kerwin, George Bellin Hospital
Klein, Rick Aurora Health Care
Klimisch, Ronald Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Korom, Nancy Children’s Hospital and Health System
Lambrecht, Randy Aurora Health Care
Mahoney, Lorelle Aurora Health Care
Mantei, Mary Jo Bay Area Medical Center
McDonald, Brian Aurora Health Care
McDonald, Mary Beth Aurora Health Care
McKennie, Randall Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center
Merline, Karen
Miller, Jim Children’s Hospital and Health System
Moulthrop, David Rogers Memorial Hospital
Murphy, Mike Bay Area Medical Center
Normington, Jeremy Moundview Memorial Hospital and Clinics
Postler-Slattery, Diane Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Potter, Brian Wisconsin Hospital Association
Richards, Theresa Ministry Saint Joseph’s Children’s Hospital
Russell, John Boscobel Area Health Care
Selberg, Heidi HSHS-Eastern Wisconsin Division
Shabino, Charles Wisconsin Hospital Association
Ship, Mark Children’s Hospital and Health System
Size, Pat Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative
Smith, Linda Aurora Health Care
Staffileno, Gerri Columbia St. Mary’s, Inc. - Ozaukee
Strasser, Kathy Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Stuart, Phil Tomah Memorial Hospital
Swanson, Kerry St. Mary’s Janeville Hospital
Taplin Statz, Linda SSM Health Care-Wisconsin
Topinka, Ralph Mercy Health System Corporation
VanCourt, Bernie Bay Area Medical Center
Van Meeteren, Bob Reedsburg Area Medical Center
Wallace, Michael Fort HealthCare
Worrick, Gerald
Ministry Door County Medical Center
Contributions Ranging from $1,000 - $1,499
Bazan, Bill Wisconsin Hospital Association
Birkenstock, Timothy Children’s Hospital and Health System
Britton, Gregory Beloit Memorial Hospital
Brophy, Michael Aurora Health Care
Buser, Kenneth Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare - All Saints
Byrne, Frank St. Mary’s Hospital
Chapin, Rocklon St. Mary’s/Duluth Clinic Health System
Christensen, Cinthia Children’s Hospital and Health System
Devermann, Robert Aurora Medical Center in Oshkosh
Duncan, Robert Children’s Hospital and Health System
Dunigan, Thomas Children’s Hospital and Health System
Eichman, Cynthia Ministry Our Lady of Victory Hospital
Fale, Robert Agnesian HealthCare/St. Agnes Hospital
Falvey, Patrick Aurora Health Care
Friberg, Deb Columbia St. Mary’s, Inc. - Milwaukee
Garcia, Dawn Sacred Heart Hospital
Greenberg, Beverly Aurora Health Care
Hahn, Brad Aurora Health Care
Hilt, Monica Ministry Saint Mary’s Hospital
Kief, Brian Ministry Saint Joseph’s Children’s Hospital
Kryda, Michael Ministry Saint Joseph’s Children’s Hospital
Lappin, Michael Aurora Health Care
Loftus, Philip Aurora Health Care
Maciver, Carolyn Aurora Health Care
Marciano, Karol Columbia St. Mary’s, Inc. - Milwaukee
Martin, Jeff Ministry Saint Michael’s Hospital
Nauman, Michael Children’s Hospital and Health System
Nelson, Dave SSM Health Care-Wisconsin
Niemer, Margaret Children’s Hospital and Health System
Park, Dr. Joon Aurora Health Care
Petasnick, William Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital
Radoszewski, Pat Children’s Hospital and Health System
Reynolds, Sheila Children’s Hospital and Health System
Robertstad, John ProHealth Care - Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital
Roller, Rachel Aurora Health Care
Ronstrom, Stephen HSHS-Western Wisconsin Division
Sanders, Robert Children’s Hospital and Health System
Schafer, Michael Spooner Health System
Sexton, Bill Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital
Stanford, Matthew Wisconsin Hospital Association
Titus, Rexford ProHealth Care
Troy, Peggy Children’s Hospital and Health System
Warmuth, Judith Wisconsin Hospital Association
Westrick, Paul Columbia St. Mary’s, Inc. - Milwaukee
Wolf, Edward Lakeview Medical Center
Woodward, James
Meriter Hospital
Contributions Ranging from $1,500 - $1,999
Bailet, Jeffrey Aurora Health Care
Banaszynski, Gregory Aurora Health Care
Bloch, Jodi Wisconsin Hospital Association
Boese, Jennifer Wisconsin Hospital Association
Brooks, Alenia Aurora Health Care
Capelli, A.J. Aurora Health Care
Fish, David St. Joseph’s Hospital
Grasmick, Mary Kay Wisconsin Hospital Association
Herzog, Mark Holy Family Memorial, Inc.
Johnson, Peter Aurora West Allis Medical Center
Kachelski, Joe WHA Information Center
Kosanovich, John UW Health Partners Watertown Regional Medical Center
Leitch, Laura Wisconsin Hospital Association
Levin, Jeremy Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative
Mettner, Michelle Children’s Hospital and Health System
Morgan, Dwight Aurora Health Care
O’Brien, Mary Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center
Olson, David
Columbia St. Mary’s, Inc. - Ozaukee
Contributions Ranging from $2,000 - $2,499
Bablitch, Steve Aurora Health Care
Merline, Paul Wisconsin Hospital Association
Neufelder, Daniel Affinity Health System
Oliverio, John Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare
Pandl, Therese HSHS-Eastern Wisconsin Division
Quinn, George Wisconsin Hospital Association
Sanders, Michael Monroe Clinic
Starmann-Harrison, Mary
SSM Health Care-Wisconsin
Contributions Ranging from $2,500 - $2,999
Brideau, Leo Columbia St. Mary’s, Inc. - Columbia
Ela, Susan Aurora Health Care
Erwin, Duane Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Tyre, Scott
Capitol Navigators, Inc.
Contributions Ranging from $3,000 - $3,999
Borgerding, Eric Wisconsin Hospital Association
Desien, Nicholas Ministry Health Care
Turkal, Nick
Aurora Health Care
Contributions Ranging from $4,000 - $5,000
Size, Tim Rural
Wisconsin Health Cooperative
Contributions $5,000 or more
Brenton, Stephen Wisconsin Hospital Association
Board of Nursing Agrees to Post School of Nursing License Exam Pass RatesAt the request of WHA, the Wisconsin Board of Nursing has posted individual school of nursing pass rates on their Web site for the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX). The WHA Workforce Council has expressed its concern about the low pass rates at some nursing programs. Earlier this year, the Council requested that WHA formally request that the pass rates be posted publicly. These records are public, but obtaining the information has been difficult. With the new transparency policy, rates will be updated each quarter as new results are submitted to the Board of Nursing. The information can be accessed at: http://drl.wi.gov/profdetail.asp?pdetailid=2142&profid=46&locid=0, which also contains a document explaining the meaning of test results.
Hospital employers have struggled with nursing school graduates who fail to pass the licensure exam. New graduates may practice under a permit until they take the licensing exam. If they do not pass the exam, they lose the ability to practice as a registered nurse. Hospitals must then determine what action to take for the minimum of 45 days until the exam can be retaken. Pass rates on successive tests are generally lower than first time takers, and there are nursing school graduates who never pass.
Historically, Wisconsin schools of nursing have had very high scores and pass rate success. The current national pass rate for persons that take the test the first time is 90 percent. Schools that fall below the national rate are scrutinized by the Board of Nursing. In Wisconsin, several schools currently fall below that rate.
It was another stellar performance for health care organizations at the 2010 Wisconsin Forward Award ceremony held August 31 in Madison. Stoughton Hospital was recognized at the "Mastery" level; Black River Memorial Hospital, Black River Falls, and Franciscan Skemp Healthcare/Mayo Health System received "Proficiency" recognition; and Grant Regional Health Center, Lancaster and Sauk Prairie Memorial Hospital, Prairie du Sac received recognition at the "Commitment" level.
"I find it encouraging that smaller, critical access hospitals are applying because they have limited resources. Yet those organizations work so hard to deliver quality, effective care," said Liz Menzer, executive director of the Wisconsin Center for Performance Excellence—the organization that administers the Forward Award program. "The more employees understand about quality, the more engaged they become and the better job they do. That drive to serve is very ingrained in health care employees. They want to know how they fit into the delivery of quality, safe care."
In accepting the Forward Award for Stoughton Hospital, CEO Terry Brenny said, "What may have differentiated our approach from some of our peers is that while our resolve to pursue enduring excellence was administratively inspired, it was in fact, and still is to this day, primarily employee driven. It is a bottom-up approach as much as it is top-down."
"Wisconsin hospitals have a strong commitment to performance improvement. It is not a surprise that so many of our members participate in the Forward Award program as they strive to improve quality and increase efficiency," said WHA President Steve Brenton. "Forward Award winners deserve the visible recognition they received in Madison this week and are a real benchmark for others to emulate."
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The Legislative Council Special Committee on Review of Emergency Detention and Admission of Minors Under Chapter 51 met for the first time on Tuesday, August 31. The Committee, chaired by Representative Sandy Pasch (D-Whitefish Bay) and vice-chaired by Senator Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay), is directed to study issues relating to emergency detentions under Wisconsin’s mental health laws as well as procedures relating to the admission of minors for mental health services. Key issues discussed included alternatives that don’t require an inpatient bed for emergency stabilization/detention, lengthy and costly travel distances necessary to transport persons to an appropriate detention facility, coordination of care for mental health patients, and emergency detention procedures.
Among the 15 committee members are George Kerwin, president/CEO of Bellin Health based in Green Bay and Dr. Gina Koeppl, regional director of Ministry Health Care’s behavioral health services. Kerwin is also chair of WHA’s Behavioral Health Task Force.
Kerwin identified the need for hospitals, county, agencies, and law enforcement to all work together in order for Wisconsin’s mental health system to work in the best interests of patients. "We deal a lot with the interface between law enforcement and the counties in the area, and our services," said Kerwin. "I am very sensitive to the patients we are treating and care, for but also the pressure is are put upon law enforcement agencies and the counties."
At their meeting, committee members heard presentations from a variety of invited speakers including: Neal Blackburn and Sarah Diedrick-Kasdorf from the Wisconsin Counties Association; Doug Pettit, Police Chief, Oregon Police Department and Legislative Chair of the Wisconsin Chiefs of Police Association, Susan Riseling, Police Chief, University of Wisconsin-Madison Policy Department; Dr. Kevin Kallas and Dr. Mike Hagen, Wisconsin Department of Corrections; John Easterday, administrator, Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Department of Health Services; Hugh Davis, Wisconsin Family Ties; Molly Cisco, Grassroots Empowerment; and Mary Neubauer, Mental Health Task Force and Wisconsin Council on Mental Health.
Diedric-Kasdorf and Blackburn began the presentations with discussions of emergency detention issues from the county agency perspective. Under Wisconsin law, counties are responsible to provide for the needs of persons with mental illness, including emergency care.
"The need for mental health services outweighs the available resources," said Diedric-Kasdorf. Further, Blackburn noted a "critical shortage of facilities" and that the shortage is requiring many counties to transport persons under an emergency detention significant distances to appropriate facilities. Blackburn noted that there is a need to look at ideas for emergency detention other than the use of an inpatient bed. As noted by WHA’s Behavioral Health Task Force, some counties are beginning to create Community Based Residential Facilities (CBRFs) capable of accepting some persons under an emergency detention.
Blackburn also recommended a change to Medicaid that would merely suspend Medicaid coverage when a person with mental illness is placed in jail rather than terminate Medicaid coverage. Currently, when an inmate formerly on Medicaid is released from jail, there is a gap in access to mental health services during the time in which the inmate must reapply for Medicaid coverage. Blackburn suggested that care coordination would improve and the chances of re-incarceration and need for emergency detention would go down if such person’s Medicaid coverage were simply reactivated upon release from jail.
Police Chiefs Pettit and Riseling discussed the role of law enforcement in emergency detentions. Among the ideas for improvement they suggested were additional police academy training on emergency detention, the creation of model policies and procedures on emergency detention, modification of privacy laws to enable coordination between law enforcement and providers, and the creation of "drop in centers" for mental health similar to detox centers.
Police Chief Pettit expressed frustration with the length of time that it takes to go through all of the procedures to get medical clearance and transport an individual under an emergency detention to an appropriate detention facility. In particular, he expressed frustration that his officers were required to be with the person under an emergency detention throughout the process, including during the physical health medical clearance process at a hospital emergency room, and that the officer and detainee were not given priority in the emergency room triage over other patients. Chief Pettit noted one occurrence in particular where the process of taking a person into custody under an emergency detention through admission to a detention facility took 12 hours. Both chiefs noted that it is easier to take a person to jail than it is to go through the emergency detention process to stabilize an individual.
Easterday from the Department of Health Services’ Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services provided an overview of Wisconsin’s county-based mental health system. Currently, there are 54 counties that have crisis services that are eligible for Medicaid funding; in order to receive that eligibility, the county services must be accredited by the state. Despite this, Easterday noted the complexity and variation of emergency detention practices that occurs throughout Wisconsin, and even within counties.
Committee member Dr. Jon Berlin, medical director – crisis services, Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division, and Easterday also discussed the difficulty of providing inpatient mental health care. "It’s a real challenge keeping hospitals going," said Berlin. "A lot of the private psychiatric hospitals have gone out of business because they can’t handle it financially and otherwise. A lot of times Chapter 51 is not used because there is no place to go."
Easterday agreed. "It’s always challenging to operate an inpatient program, whether private or public," said Easterday. "But I will say that the public expects so much; the public expects us to cure, treat and at the same time, protect them. And when the rules keep changing…it makes it even more difficult whether in a public or private setting. Its always been challenging and it is getting more challenging, but those of us at the state believe that we have an ultimate responsibility to provide some sort of safety net and as long as the need is there, there will be a Mendota or Winnebago [mental health institute.]"
Cisco and Neubauer each provided perspectives on emergency detention practices from a consumer point of view. Each emphasized a preference to avoid police involvement in emergency detentions and the criminalization of emergency detentions. They also recommended more use of peer support services in emergency detention situations as one way to avoid police involvement and emergency detentions in general.
Davis, from Wisconsin Family Ties, discussed mental health services for children and several problems impeding better care for children with mental health needs in Wisconsin. He noted that "often rights and care conflict," and that there are "too many hoops to jump through that are impacting care." Davis also pointed to severe workforce shortages of child psychiatrists in Wisconsin, and noted that child psychiatrists are the lowest paid medical specialty. Davis noted that new parity laws "certainly can’t hurt" but that "exactly how rulemaking [on parity] progresses and exactly how that gets implemented will determine the ultimate benefit."
Dr. Kallas and Dr. Hagen from the Wisconsin Department of Corrections described mental health care in the correctional setting. They said that the average wait time for psychiatric evaluation in prison is three weeks versus an average of three to four months for county services currently. They also explained that inmates released from prison are given a 15-day supply of medication and a 30-day prescription.
The next committee meeting is on October 4 at the Medical College of Wisconsin and will feature invited speakers presenting provider perspectives on emergency detention and admissions of minors for mental health care, as well as public testimony.
WHA Webinars to Focus on Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive ProgramsIn an effort to help member hospitals strategically plan for the upcoming Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs, WHA is offering several webinars in the coming weeks to provide high-level insights into the final meaningful use and EHR certification rules.
On September 9, WHA will present a one-hour webinar designed to help hospital leaders understand and plan for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program. The session will touch on key concerns facing hospitals as they begin short and long-term planning for meeting meaningful use, payment methodologies under the Medicare EHR Incentive Program, and the differences between the proposed meaningful use rules and the final meaningful use rules. Senior hospital leaders who are participating in the strategic planning for EHR implementation in their hospitals or health systems should plan to participate in either the September 9 webinar or the repeated offering on September 10.
On September 21, a second webinar will be offered, this time focusing on the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program. This session will focus on calculating the 10 percent Medicaid volume threshold, Wisconsin’s plans for implementing its Medicaid EHR Incentive Program, and the payment differences between the Medicaid and Medicare EHR Incentive Programs. Senior leaders of hospitals that have Medicaid volume at or near 10 percent, and who are participating in the strategic planning for EHR implementation in their hospitals or health systems should plan to participate in this program.
Online registration is now available for these programs at www.wha.org. If you have registration questions, contact Lisa Littel at llittel@wha.org or 608-274-1820.
Chippewa Valley Health Systems Collaborate to Build Internet CapacityFiber optic cable lines run underground, unseen. Yet 200 miles of fiber-optic cable—made possible recently by $11.5 million in federal grant money—will revolutionize high-capacity Internet access in the Chippewa Valley.
The expansion of broadband communication will allow high-speed exchange of critical information among key community institutions—government, public safety, health care, libraries, schools and more. This networking infrastructure particularly will help underserved rural areas, improving access to life-saving treatment for patients.
The Chippewa Valley health systems that partnered to acquire the grants are:
Hospital Sisters Health System and Luther Midelfort each pledged $600,000, paid over three years, to the broadband project. Together, by investing a total of $1.2 million in matching funds, these health care systems will leverage about $3.6 million in federal dollars to accelerate this networking infrastructure expansion across western Wisconsin.
"Many educational programs and critical life-saving health care applications today cannot work on anything less than ultra high-speed broadband," said Steve Ronstrom, president and chief executive officer of HSHS Division (Western Wisconsin). "This project will save lives by improving public safety, EMS and health care service delivery and disaster preparedness."
"This effort will enhance life-saving treatment and the health and wellness of residents in rural areas through telemedicine and by enabling the high-speed exchange of critical emergency medical information," said Dr. Randall Linton, president and chief executive officer of Luther Midelfort. "But this project goes beyond health care. By working with education and government entities, we can enhance the well-being of communities and do more together than any one entity could do alone."
The two health care organizations are part of the Chippewa Valley Inter-networking Consortium (CINC), which is leading the broadband expansion project locally. CINC formed in 1999 to coordinate regional communication infrastructure projects with city, county and state governments, educational institutions, libraries, non-profits and technology providers. CINC is committed to broadband serving the public interest.
The project also will improve the Chippewa Valley’s fiber-optic access to Superior, Menomonie, Mondovi, Wausau, Marshfield and Stevens Point.
The Broadband Technology Opportunities Program grants, part of $32.3 million awarded to Wisconsin under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, were announced August 18 by the University of Wisconsin Extension, which led the statewide project. Work on the fiber-optic lines will begin this year and is expected to be completed within three years.
Two Community Initiatives Honored with WHA Foundation’s 2010 Global Vision AwardThe WHA Foundation has selected programs from Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare and ProHealth Care, Inc. as the recipients of the 2010 Global Vision Community Partnership Award.
The WHA Foundation’s Global Vision Community Partnership Award was created in 1995 to recognize the efforts of WHA members in meeting the documented health needs in their communities through creativity, innovation, partnership, and collaboration. To date, the Award has honored 30 innovative programs in communities throughout Wisconsin.
The 2010 Global Vision Community Partnership Award winning programs, and their nominating hospitals, include the Women’s Outpatient Center, nominated by Wheaton Franciscan – St. Joseph; and the Waukesha County Community Dental Clinic, nominated by ProHealth Care.
"The Women’s Outpatient Center" (WOC) is a multidisciplinary clinic, opened in 2003, dedicated to providing exceptional care to low-income women and infants. Located within Wheaton Franciscan – St. Joseph’s in Milwaukee, the WOC addresses disparities in health care by providing free OB/GYN services to low-income women, and providing a network of resources, giving patients access to social workers, language interpreters, financial counselors, dieticians and more. With objectives of increasing rates of prenatal care, increasing birth weight statistics and lowering fetal death/infant mortality rates, the WOC delivered over 400 babies in FY2009. Ninety percent were born with healthy birth-weights; only seven percent of newborns were placed in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, 57 percent of pregnant patients initiated prenatal care in the first trimester, and 71 percent of African American patients began breastfeeding in the hospital, with 55 percent still breastfeeding at six weeks postpartum.
The "Waukesha County Community Dental Clinic" (WCCDC) is the direct result of community health providers identifying and addressing a top community need. The free-standing, non-profit dental clinic aims to increase access to dental care for the targeted population, increase preventive dental care for low-income children, decrease hospital emergency visits, and coordinate education and outreach by numerous community partners. The WCCDC focuses on providing basic comprehensive dental care to children and pregnant women and treating dental emergencies for both uninsured and publicly insured adults. Since opening in 2008, the clinic has served more than 4,000 patients during 8,900 appointments, and provides service to over 53 percent of the Medicaid-enrolled children in the area.
Wisconsin Hospitals Community BenefitsWisconsin’s ability to be a leader in the detection of and response to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases has largely been the result of astute observation by hospital clinicians and public health employees. Hospitals are well aware of their role in protecting the general health of the community. In particular, they work closely with public health departments to promote immunization clinics and build community awareness on how to protect against the spread of communicable disease.
Immunizations and back-to-school supplies – a good combination
It was hard to believe summer was ending and kids across Milwaukee were heading back to school. It was also hard to believe how much money parents are expected to spend on school supplies. Gone are the days when an old fashioned number two pencil and a taste for knowledge were all you needed to succeed. Soaring prices and longer supply lists put a strain on pocketbooks and leave many parents scrambling for items at the last minute.
That’s precisely the reason that Froedtert Hospital teamed up with Westside Healthcare Association, a Federally Qualified Health Center, to make sure children returned to school both healthy and prepared. In response to the back-to-school rush for check-ups and vaccinations, Westside Healthcare held special immunization clinics in August 2008. As an added bonus, Froedtert Hospital donated backpacks filled with the necessary school supplies which were given to each child that came in for an appointment during those times.
More than 65 children received backpacks as part of the immunization clinic at Westside Healthcare Association. Many of them were students of Westside Academy, where Froedtert Hospital provides funding for a school nurse. In fact, the program was so successful that the clinic hosted another event in October.
Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital, Milwaukee
Hands-on experience helps little hands (and big ones) come clean
St. Joseph’s Hospital is tackling a big health concern – the spread of infection – by educating the smallest members of the community. At health fairs, community events and in schools around West Bend and Washington County, the importance of hand washing as the single most important procedure for preventing the spread of infection (US Centers for Disease Control) is getting attention. Pat Pearson, infection preventionist at St. Joseph’s Hospital, leads the charge.
At Celebrate Families at the Washington County Fair Park, to young and old, she dispensed free sanitizers and provided important advice about how and when to use the alcohol product and when to wash your hands. The event drew about 5,000 people, mostly families with children, for free music, games and hands-on activities. Organizers’ concerns about the frequent spread of germs with so many children in a high-contact venue made hand hygiene a perfect theme for St. Joseph’s booth activity.
At the Women’s Fair event March 21, Pat walked through the crowd carrying a cheery basket over her arm filled with small purse-size bottles of alcohol hand sanitizer which she distributed. More than 700 people were in attendance. Pat has been front and center at events like Celebrate Families and the women’s fair sponsored by St. Joseph’s Hospital, West Bend Clinic and Community Memorial Hospital in March. She’s also used the hospital’s "Glow Germ" kit to show kids what really clean hands are, and loans the kit to area schools and scout troops. Children are asked to put the special Glow Germ lotion on their hands, look at their hands under the special UV light and then wash their hands with soap and water as they normally do. When they return and hold their hands under the UV light they can see how well they washed. The children are surprised to see how much glow lotion remains on around fingernails and between fingers!
"Kids really want to do it – and parents do too. We tell children that to wash properly, they should wash their hands with soap and warm water for about 10 to 15 seconds – the time it takes for them to sing the ‘ABC Song’ or ‘Yankee Doodle Dandy.’"
Pat is encouraged by the community response: "Actually, people are savvier these days – parents know the importance of teaching and role modeling good hand hygiene for their children."
St. Joseph’s Hospital, West Bend
Submit community benefit stories to Mary Kay Grasmick, editor, at mgrasmick@wha.org.
Read more about hospitals connecting with their communities at
www.WiServePoint.org.