October 12, 2007
Volume 51, Issue 38
Republicans Poised to Reject Hospital Plan and Approve IPFCF Transfer
The stage is set for another budget showdown next week as the Legislature is scheduled to vote on a new version of the state budget recently introduced by Governor Jim Doyle. While the Senate is expected to approve the new bill, the Assembly is likely to reject it. Should the votes go as predicted, the budget stalemate, now 104 days long, is likely to drag on.
Meeting in closed caucus October 11, Republicans emerged with the message that the hospital tax, along with several other budget items proposed by Governor Doyle and supported by Senate Democrats, make a budget compromise a non-starter. That message, delivered by Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch (R-La Crosse), means that Republicans may be united in voting to oppose Governor Doyle’s revised budget next week when lawmakers meet during a special session called by the Governor.
The new Doyle budget contains the revised hospital assessment, including extensive new statutory language that will deliver a net $284 million in hospital Medicaid payment increases. The revised plan is the product of recent WHA agreements with Administration officials to include provisions addressing concerns related to the timing of the tax, safeguarding the revenue, and assuring the delivery of higher payments to hospitals. The WHA Board dropped its opposition to the hospital tax last week in light of these changes.
The new Doyle budget bill also includes a $3 million increase in Medicaid payments to rural (non-critical access) hospitals and a $3 million increase in Medicaid payments to behavioral health hospitals. Both are funded outside of the hospital assessment and are strongly supported by WHA.
Despite the WHA Board’s recent action, Republican leaders continue their opposition to the hospital tax. That pushback includes criticisms from some who describe the initiative as undermining health care market reform. But Medicaid payment levels are today having a very negative impact on the health care market, resulting in upwards of $600 million in under-reimbursed Medicaid hospital costs (not charges) being shifted to employers’ health care costs annually.
Assembly Speaker Huebsch has also emerged as a critic of the revised assessment plan, indicating that it will increase health care costs. At the same time, recent Republican budget counteroffers have included no increases in hospital Medicaid payments, perpetuating the decade-long trend of stagnant or reduced hospital Medicaid payments and hundreds of millions in cost-shifting.
"The time has come to finish the Wisconsin budget and we believe the hospital tax, as amended in the Governor’s new budget bill, should be a part of the final budget compromise," said WHA President Steve Brenton. "It is a workable proposal that will deliver much needed payment improvements to Wisconsin hospitals while finally beginning to address the growing problem of Medicaid cost-shifting and its impact on employer health care costs."
On another budget front, press reports indicate that Republicans are now willing to go along with taking anywhere from $100 million to $175 million out of the Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund (IPFCF). Governor Doyle included a $175 million transfer from the IPFCF in his original budget. The IPFCF, which compensates individuals who are injured as a result of malpractice, is funded entirely through premiums paid by doctors and hospitals.
GMC Endorses State Hospital Tax PlanToday (Oct. 12) the Small Business Times reported that the Greater Milwaukee Committee (GMC), one of the state’s most powerful business associations, announced its support for a proposed tax on hospitals to achieve the goal of providing access to affordable health care for Wisconsin.
The support came after significant amendments to the initial hospital tax proposed last February and revised by the Doyle administration in May. The amendments include: Assuring that the $284.2 million (net) in increased Medicaid payments promised from the hospital tax over the next two years will flow to hospitals for treatment provided to patients covered by Medicaid; preventing the tax from being levied prior to the State of Wisconsin receiving necessary approval from the federal government to implement the payment plan and deliver promised levels of payment increase; safeguarding the hospital tax and resulting new revenue stream from reduction or diversions for unrelated purposes; exempting 59 critical access hospitals (CAHs) from the tax, given the fact that they would be net losers under the plan; and a two-year sunset provision that ensures the tax will be revisited if not functioning as promised.
In addition, the GMC said the tax is aligned with the goals and objectives that the GMC’s Healthcare Task Force has been working to achieve over the past four years, including access to affordable health care for Wisconsin residents, the support of federally qualified health centers, support for the continuation of the General Assistance Medical Program (GAMP), increased reimbursement for physicians and hospitals and relief of cost shifting that occurs due to decreased Medicaid payments.
Political Action Spotlight: Fundraising Campaign Update: $20,000 Needed to Reach GoalAt this time, 564 individuals have contributed to the 2007 Campaign. This includes CEOs, employees, volunteers and trustees affiliated with 89 hospitals statewide that together have contributed nearly $175,000 to date. This accounts for 89 percent of the $195,000 fundraising campaign’s monetary goal.
Contributors by name and affiliated organization are published on a monthly basis and are listed on pages 6-7. Contributors are listed by contribution amount categories and in the order the contribution was received.
The next list of contributors will be published November 9 in The Valued Voice. For information, contact Jodi Bloch at 608-217-9508 or Jenny Boese at 608-274-1820.
Contributions Ranging from $1 - $249
Ayers, Mandy Wisconsin Hospital Association
Callies, Julie WHA Information Center
Brazys, Mary WHA Financial Solutions, Inc.
Reichert, Kevin Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital
Schneider, David Langlade Memorial Hospital
Gerke, Mary Lu Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center
Hiatt, Emily Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center
Kruse, Joe Franciscan Skemp Healthcare-La Crosse
Harm, Sandy Lakeview Medical Center
Coller, James St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center
Policello, Louise Bay Area Medical Center
Buss, Diane St. Mary’s Hospital
Jelle, Laura St. Clare Hospital and Health Services
Baker, David Saint Michael’s Hospital
Bonnett, Joseph Beaver Dam Community Hospitals
Schamberg, Jay, MD Aurora Health Care
Myers, Robert Vernon Memorial Healthcare
Marsch, Jean St. Vincent Hospital
Walker, Troy St. Clare Hospital and Health Services
Reinke, Kathy Shawano Medical Center
Marcouiller, Don Memorial Medical Center - Ashland
Anderson, Mary Hayward Area Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home
Quade, Steve Door County Memorial Hospital
Tierney, Mary Alice Aurora Health Care
Prince, Nancy Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Korff, Sally St. Nicholas Hospital
Adams, Daniel Memorial Medical Center - Ashland
Werner, Andrea Bellin Memorial Hospital
Dettman, Amy Bellin Memorial Hospital
Hinz, Russ Aurora Health Care
Watts, Susan St. Vincent Hospital
Mickelson, Ronald St. Clare Hospital and Health Services
Olson, Keri St. Clare Hospital and Health Services
Elsen, Mary Pat St. Clare Hospital and Health Services
Stelzer, Jason St. Clare Hospital and Health Services
Skifton, Russell Saint Michael’s Hospital
McCloskey, Lynne Saint Michael’s Hospital
Tandberg, Christine Sacred Heart Hospital
Klinge, Ann Memorial Medical Center - Ashland
Santini, Kathy Memorial Medical Center - Ashland
Lindquist, Keith Cumberland Memorial Hospital
Heider, Lisa Community Memorial Hospital
Casey, Candy Columbia Center
Thompson, James Aurora Health Care
Bjork, Ted Westfields Hospital
Brenny, Terrence Stoughton Hospital Association
Rodriguez, Debra St. Clare Hospital and Health Services
Mohr, Carol Sacred Heart Hospital
Rothfuss, James Meriter Hospital
Sullivan, Anne Memorial Medical Center - Ashland
Bell, Kristine Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Bosio, David Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Burtch, Sue Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Hinker, Jennifer Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Thorpe, Marya Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Bliven, David Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Cohen, Joan Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Kopplin, Jean Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Murphy, Michael Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Tate, Marceline Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Arendt, Kathleen Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Bouvat, Dale Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Burgener, Jean Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Danner, Forrest Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Lucas, Roger Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Burgett, Lyle Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Drengler, Kathryn Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Scinto, Jeanne Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Sczygelski, Sidney Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Plaisance, Christopher Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Weiland, Sonja Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Misiewicz, Barbara St. Mary’s Hospital of Superior
Bessen, Paulette Saint Michael’s Hospital
Pinekenstein, Barbara Meriter Hospital
Schraufnagel, Patricia Memorial Medical Center - Ashland
Borgstrom, Jim Memorial Health Center
Waldoch, Timothy Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital
Roundy, Ann Columbus Community Hospital
Cox, Tamarah Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Campbell-Kelz, Nancy Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Dorpat, Denice Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Todd, Jeffrey Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Carrier-Diemer, Peggy Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Roraff, Greg Memorial Health Center
Reider, Rodney Aurora Health Care
Fochs, Mary Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Lakey, Sandy Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Maas, Pamela Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Ellis, Nancy Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Gengler, Tim Aspirus Wausau Hospital
DeWitt, Pamela St. Joseph’s Community Health Svcs.
Coblentz, Kathy Jo St. Joseph’s Community Health Svcs.
McCoic, Kristie St. Joseph’s Community Health Svcs.
Trachte, Kathryn Saint Michael’s Hospital
VanStraten, Randy Beloit Memorial Hospital
Roethle, Linda Bellin Psychiatric Center
Bush, Nan Bellin Memorial Hospital
Peters, Kenneth Bellin Memorial Hospital
Watson, Christopher Bellin Memorial Hospital
Fry, Robert Bellin Memorial Hospital
Rocheleau, John Bellin Memorial Hospital
Pfaff, Stephanie Tri-County Memorial Hospital
Jensema, Christine St. Nicholas Hospital
Bergeron, Brant Saint Michael’s Hospital
Pengra, Mary Sacred Heart Hospital
Cotone, Candace Cumberland Memorial Hospital
Lorenz, Bruce Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Gantner, Sue Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Erickson, Robert Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Dwyer, Maxine St. Mary’s Hospital
Facey, Alice St. Clare Hospital and Health Services
Greene, Roxanne Our Lady of Victory Hospital
Jacobsen, Joan Meriter Hospital
Bundner, Mark Meriter Hospital
Maurer, Mary Holy Family Memorial Medical Center
Fulwiler, Terry Bellin Memorial Hospital
Yunk, Dennis Agnesian HealthCare
Meicher, John St. Mary’s Hospital
Twomey, Patrick Hayward Area Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home
Jay, John Community Memorial Hospital
Tietz, Llewellyn Community Memorial Hospital
Decker, Dawn Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Holmes, Sheri Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Schaefer, Joyce Amery Regional Medical Center
Rice, Jay Wheaton Franciscan - Milwaukee
Sparks, Steven St. Mary’s Hospital
Ambs, Kathleen St. Mary’s Hospital
Dalebroux, Steve St. Mary’s Hospital
Taplin Statz, Linda St. Mary’s Hospital
Schwoegler, Mary St. Mary’s Hospital
Beglinger, Joan St. Mary’s Hospital
Halberslaben, Holly St. Mary’s Hospital
Marggi, Michele St. Mary’s Hospital
Rothenbuehler, Gary St. Mary’s Hospital
Leonard, Mary Kay St. Mary’s Hospital
Studer, Vince Shawano Medical Center
Herbert, William Meriter Hospital
Peickert, Barbara Hayward Area Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home
Clapp, Nicole Grant Regional Health Center
Raaum, Karl Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital
Bagemihl, Katherine Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital
Connell, Marilyn Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital
Neikirk, Jon Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital
Pandl, G. John Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital
Ragalie, Elizabeth Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital
Stenson, Jill Agnesian HealthCare
Goodyear, Penny Wheaton Franciscan - Milwaukee
Kowalkowski, Carolyn St. Joseph’s Hospital
Ott, Virginia St. Joseph’s Hospital
Giedd, Jan St. Joseph’s Hospital
Klay, Lois St. Joseph’s Hospital
Wynimko, Susan St. Joseph’s Hospital
Jablonske, William St. Joseph’s Hospital
Furlong, Marian Hudson Hospital
Bellin, Carolyn Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital
Tate, Missy Agnesian HealthCare
Baalrud, Laura St. Joseph’s Hospital
Fedie, Robin St. Joseph’s Hospital
Corradi, Frank St. Joseph’s Hospital
Fuchs, Thomas St. Joseph’s Hospital
Rubenzer, Deanne St. Joseph’s Hospital
Larson, Sondra Tri-County Memorial Hospital
McKay, Jean Sacred Heart Hospital
McKee-Ghalib, Paula Sacred Heart Hospital
Roshell, Diane Sacred Heart Hospital
Pittenger, Jeannie Sacred Heart Hospital
Ackerman, Jamie Sacred Heart Hospital
Albrecht, Linda Sacred Heart Hospital
Bauer, David Sacred Heart Hospital
Stack, John Sacred Heart Hospital
Stone, Stacy Sacred Heart Hospital
Axelsen, Kathern Sacred Heart Hospital
Block, Jennifer Sacred Heart Hospital
Bryans, Richard Sacred Heart Hospital
Carlson, Carol Sacred Heart Hospital
Danzinger, Marcia Sacred Heart Hospital
Gullicksrud, Lynn Sacred Heart Hospital
Johnson, Jean Sacred Heart Hospital
LuCore, Michael Sacred Heart Hospital
Mackey, Theresa Sacred Heart Hospital
McFarlane, Marge Sacred Heart Hospital
Nezworski, Joseph Sacred Heart Hospital
Nulsen, Kate Sacred Heart Hospital
Poquette, Jane Sacred Heart Hospital
Powell, Stacey Sacred Heart Hospital
Richbourg, Mary Sacred Heart Hospital
Segerstrom, Amy Sacred Heart Hospital
Sime, Wayne Sacred Heart Hospital
Skulan-Balmer, Anna Sacred Heart Hospital
Sprengeler, John Sacred Heart Hospital
Storing, Sandy Sacred Heart Hospital
Worthing, Kelli Sacred Heart Hospital
Wrobel, Roberta Sacred Heart Hospital
Hink, Dawn Sacred Heart Hospital
Pielhop, Judy Sacred Heart Hospital
Barkovich, Catherine Sacred Heart Hospital
Beckler, Rick Sacred Heart Hospital
Bloom, Deborah Sacred Heart Hospital
DeMars, Nancy Sacred Heart Hospital
Dwyer, Amy Sacred Heart Hospital
Folstad, John Sacred Heart Hospital
Johnson, Kimberly Sacred Heart Hospital
Leonard, Thomas Sacred Heart Hospital
Lien, Kristine Sacred Heart Hospital
LuCore, Patricia Sacred Heart Hospital
Ness, Nita Sacred Heart Hospital
Padilla, Gilbert Sacred Heart Hospital
Preston, Mark Sacred Heart Hospital
Schultz, Rebecca Sacred Heart Hospital
Spindler, Greg Sacred Heart Hospital
VanDeVoort, John Sacred Heart Hospital
Hon, Ronald Sacred Heart Hospital
Larson, Piper Sacred Heart Hospital
Palecek, Steve Sacred Heart Hospital
Peiffer, Susan Sacred Heart Hospital
Brunner, Pam Sacred Heart Hospital
Ganahl, John Sacred Heart Hospital
Gjolberg, Skip Sacred Heart Hospital
Hassemer, Robert Sacred Heart Hospital
Prock, Gail Sacred Heart Hospital
Galfano, Victor Sacred Heart Hospital
Huettl, Patty Sacred Heart Hospital
Kaiser, Ann Sacred Heart Hospital
Ose, Peggy Riverview Hospital Association
Lachecki, Theresa Memorial Medical Center - Ashland
Churitch, Karen Hayward Area Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home
Meyer, Markie Community Memorial Hospital
Penovich, Carrie Aurora Health Care
Petersen, Susan Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Selberg, Heidi St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center
Schroeder, Larry Sauk Prairie Memorial Hospital
Nelson, Mark Sacred Heart Hospital
Smith, Julie Sacred Heart Hospital
Sorenson, Heather Sacred Heart Hospital
Soward, Cindy Sacred Heart Hospital
Werlein, George Sacred Heart Hospital
Wise, Richard Sacred Heart Hospital
Schnell, Carol Sacred Heart Hospital
Sorenson, Jim Sacred Heart Hospital
Stai, Linda Sacred Heart Hospital
Anderson, Mark Sacred Heart Hospital
Schoff, Dennis Sacred Heart Hospital
Hedrington, Brian Sacred Heart Hospital
Schneck, Judy Sacred Heart Hospital
Zemaitis, Tom Sacred Heart Hospital
Aminpour, Ali Sacred Heart Hospital
Bowman, Andrew Sacred Heart Hospital
Flanagan, Tracy Sacred Heart Hospital
Piper, Barbara Sacred Heart Hospital
Pollard, Dennis Community Memorial Hospital
Wilde, Nancy Community Memorial Hospital
Zorbini, John Community Memorial Hospital
Mulder, Doris Beloit Memorial Hospital
Gormican, John Agnesian HealthCare
Hoege, Beverly Reedsburg Area Medical Center
Christianson, Roger St. Mary’s Hospital
Goffinet, Jo St. Mary’s Hospital
Fenno, James St. Joseph’s Hospital
Oberweis, Rita St. Joseph’s Hospital
Larson, William St. Joseph’s Hospital
Smalley, Scott St. Joseph’s Hospital
Bergmann, Ann Spooner Health System
Busch, Rebecca Spooner Health System
Comerford, Angela Sacred Heart Hospital
Eady, Diane Sacred Heart Hospital
Friberg, Manny Sacred Heart Hospital
Hassel, Joy Sacred Heart Hospital
Helland, Robin Sacred Heart Hospital
Maxey, Rita Sacred Heart Hospital
Zamora, Nicole Sacred Heart Hospital
Olson, Bonnie Sacred Heart Hospital
Evenson, Wendy Sacred Heart Hospital
Dagnon, Patricia Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital
Forman, Elizabeth Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital
Lynch, Sue Franciscan Skemp Healthcare-La Crosse
Lange, Mark Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Hofer, John Bay Area Medical Center
Rhodes, Roger Wheaton Franciscan - Milwaukee
Gingras, Jeanne St. Joseph’s Hospital
Oberweis, Joseph St. Joseph’s Hospital
Arriola, Josephine Sacred Heart Hospital
Clark, Dennis St. Joseph’s Hospital
Wulff, Gary St. Joseph’s Hospital
Whiteaker, Les Memorial Medical Center - Ashland
Marshall, Linda St. Clare Hospital and Health Services
Harrop, Pauline Meriter Hospital
Cranberg, Judith Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital
Lerch, Shawn Columbus Community Hospital
Reinke, John Bay Area Medical Center
Berard, Celse Riverview Hospital Association
Cherrier, Lori Columbus Community Hospital
Needham, Jean Westfields Hospital
Wilke, Julie The Monroe Clinic
Johnson, Joanne St. Mary’s Hospital
Hurt, Rhonda St. Joseph’s Hospital
Hayhoe, Glenna St. Joseph’s Hospital
Koehler, Robert St. Joseph’s Hospital
Schaetzl, Ron St. Clare Hospital and Health Services
Tell, Marge Riverview Hospital Association
Gruendler, Deirdre The Monroe Clinic
Guffey, Kerra Meriter Hospital
VanPay, Christa Door County Memorial Hospital
Lessing, Tim Columbus Community Hospital
Sauk, Michael
Chan, Wing Meriter Hospital
Horn, Diane St. Joseph’s Hospital
Melby, Shirley Tri-County Memorial Hospital
Heniff, Jean Wild Rose Community Mem. Hospital
Lawson, Patricia Upland Hills Health
Lee, Teri Upland Hills Health
Possin, Charles Meriter Hospital
Weiland, Theresa St. Clare Hospital and Health Services
Wilson, Deanna Upland Hills Health
Bezucha, Gary Boscobel Area Health Care
Kwiesielewicz, Nancy Good Samaritan Health Center, Merrill
Lopas, Mary Door County Memorial Hospital
Gruber, Richard Mercy Health System
Pehlke, Joan St. Joseph’s Hospital
Westbrook, Diane River Falls Area Hospital
Nohelty, Peter Sacred Heart Hospital
Helin, Michelle Upland Hills Health
Stellflue, Nancy Tri - County Memorial
Contributions Ranging from $250 - $499
Braddock, Michelle WHA Financial Solutions, Inc.
Rickelman, Debbie WHA Information Center
Klauck, James Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital
Cryns, Janice Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Standridge, Debra Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare - St. Francis
Kinsella, Connie
Groepper, Ron Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare - St. Joseph
Curran, Joan Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center
Bayer, Tom St. Vincent Hospital
Miller, Kimberly Beaver Dam Community Hospitals
Roller, Rachel Aurora Health Care
Iding, Laura Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital
Meyer, Miles Meriter Hospital
Baer, James Shawano Medical Center
Johnson, Charles St. Mary’s Hospital
Wilk, Leonard Aurora Sinai Medical Center
Carlson, Dan Bay Area Medical Center
Mantei, Mary Jo Bay Area Medical Center
VanCourt, Bernie Bay Area Medical Center
Grundstrom, David Flambeau Hospital
Klein, Jacqueline Lakeview Medical Center
Biros, Marilyn SSM Health Care-Wisconsin
Fields, Mary Aurora Health Care
Abels, Maya Aurora Health Care
Capstran, Barbara Aurora Health Care
Harding, Edward Columbus Community Hospital
Neet, Bradley Saint Michael’s Hospital
Schroeder, Patricia Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital
Hessert, Peter Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Nevers, Rick Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Olkowski, Leland Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Baker, Scott Aurora Health Care
Ulery, David Aurora Health Care
Schmidt, Kari Aurora Health Care
Arnett, E. Stuart Aurora Health Care-South Region
Bezucha, Gary Boscobel Area Health Care
Svetlik, Joe Reedsburg Area Medical Center
Banzhaf, Elaine Waukesha Memorial Hospital
Rocole, Theresa Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare - All Saints
Hammer, Michael Good Samaritan Health Center, Merrill
Lockhart, Jack, MD Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center
Dietsche, James Bellin Memorial Hospital
Peterson, Kimberly Bellin Memorial Hospital
Hiltunen, Mary Bellin Memorial Hospital
Woleske, Chris Bellin Psychiatric Center
Heifetz, Michael SSM Health Care-Wisconsin
Jones, Tom St. Joseph’s Community Health Services
Stuart, Philip Tomah Memorial Hospital
Johnson, Curtis Tri-County Memorial Hospital
Clough, Sheila Howard Young Medical Center
Keene, Kaaron Memorial Health Center
Kolb, Marvin O. West Allis Memorial Hospital
Peterson, Douglas Chippewa Valley Hospital and Oakview Care Center
Hansen, Robert Cumberland Memorial Hospital
Censky, Bill Holy Family Memorial Medical Center
Nockerts, Steven Richland Hospital
Deich, Faye Sacred Heart Hospital
Hyland, Carol Agnesian HealthCare
Kunferman, Deb Cumberland Memorial Hospital
Palagi, Richard Sauk Prairie Memorial Hospital
McManmon, Kristin SSM St. Joseph Hospital of Kirkwood
Baker, Chris St. Mary’s Hospital
Jensen, Russell St. Mary’s Hospital
Casanova, James St. Mary’s Hospital
Lange, George, MD Westgate Medical Group, CSMCP
Sagan, Jean Wheaton Franciscan - Milwaukee
Schuster, Lynn Wheaton Franciscan - Milwaukee
Dallman, Michael
Kluesner, Kevin Aurora Health Care-South Region
Krauklis, Gene Aurora Health Care-South Region
Levar, Jane Ministry Health Care
Schulz, Janet ProHealth Care
Kostroski, Sharon Saint Joseph’s Hospital
Ballentine, Anne Wheaton Franciscan - Milwaukee
Boland, Susan Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare - All Saints
Sollenberger, Donna
Clark, Mary Ann Cumberland Memorial Hospital
Swiderski, Julie Wheaton Franciscan - Milwaukee
Peterson, Brenda Sacred Heart Hospital
Decker, Michael Divine Savior Healthcare
De Vita, Robert Ministry Health Care
Hilt, Monica Sacred Heart-St. Mary’s Hospitals
Andritsch, Stacie Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare
Swift, Roberta Ministry Health Care
Erickson, William Sacred Heart-St. Mary’s Hospitals
Spieckerman, Jill Sacred Heart-St. Mary’s Hospitals
Holmes, Sandra Wheaton Franciscan - Milwaukee
Blanchard, Michael Saint Joseph’s Hospital
Bestor, William Community Memorial Hospital
Navti, Abigail Wheaton Franciscan - Milwaukee
Tarantino, Jennifer Aurora Health Care
Hall, Brenda Ministry Health Care
Steevens, Alan St. Clare Hospital and Health Services
Fowler, Rose Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare - All Saints
Huber, Mark Aurora Health Care
Penczykowski, James St. Mary’s Hospital
Winegarden, Carol L. St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center
Mugan, James Agnesian HealthCare
Mourey, Gerald Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Worrick, Jerry Door County Memorial Hospital
Nick, Mary Meriter Hospital
Hoff, Linda Meriter Hospital
O’Keefe, Jim Mile Bluff Medical Center
Pennebecker, Allen Ministry Health Care
Hamilton, Mark
Contributions Ranging from $500 - $999
Borgerding, Dana Wisconsin Hospital Association
Shabino, Charles Wisconsin Hospital Association
Miloszewicz, Angela Wisconsin Hospital Association
Bloch, Jodi Wisconsin Hospital Association
Potter, Brian Wisconsin Hospital Association
Geboy, Scott Wisconsin Hospital Association
Cutler, Dave WHA Financial Solutions, Inc.
Frank, Jennifer Wisconsin Hospital Association
Grasmick, Mary Kay Wisconsin Hospital Association
Richardson, Dana Wisconsin Hospital Association
Rozenfeld, Jonathan St. Mary’s Hospital
Schafer, Michael Spooner Health System
Milakovich, Paul Aurora Health Care
Brannon, James Aurora Health Care
Bonk, Daniel Aurora Sheboygan Memorial Med. Ctr.
Morgan, Dwight Aurora Health Care
Teigen, Bobbe Aurora Medical Center - Manitowoc
Mlynarek, Robert Waukesha Memorial Hospital
Brophy, Michael Aurora Health Care
Buerstatte, Gary ProHealth Care
Brasseaux, Mary St. Nicholas Hospital
Kellar, Richard West Allis Memorial Hospital
Neufelder, Daniel Affinity Health System
Capelli, A.J. Aurora Health Care
Falvey, Patrick Aurora Health Care
Duncan, Larry Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Eddy, Lee Anne Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Gutzeit, Michael Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Jones, Michael Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Niemer, Margaret Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Radoszewski, Pat Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Reynolds, Sheila Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Ship, Mark Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Grady, Glen Memorial Medical Center - Neillsville
Woodward, James Meriter Hospital
Anderson, Sandy St. Clare Hospital and Health Services
Postler-Slattery, Diane Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Allison Stonebraker, Pat Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Shapiro, David Columbia St. Mary’s-Columbia Campus
Smith, Linda Aurora BayCare Medical Center
Kerwin, George Bellin Memorial Hospital
Korom, Nancy Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Klawiter, Anne Southwest Health Center
McGee, Fred Meriter Hospital
Wilkerson, Terry
Runge, Charles Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital
Brandel, Patrick Holy Family Memorial Medical Center
Kryda, Michael Saint Joseph’s Hospital
Schmidt, Michael Saint Joseph’s Hospital
Byrne, Frank St. Mary’s Hospital
Zaher, Beth
Maxson-Cooper, Pamela Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital
Myers, Raymond St. Joseph’s Hospital
Blum, William Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare
Meyer, Loren Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare - All Saints
Norton, Andrew Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital
Barnett, Jane
Bultema, Janice
Ronstrom, Stephen Sacred Heart Hospital
O’Connell, Blaine Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital
Richards, Theresa Saint Joseph’s Hospital
Becker, Richard Community Memorial Hospital
Hymans, Daniel Memorial Medical Center - Ashland
Sachdeva, Ramesh Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Achenbach, Connie Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital
Sanders, Michael The Monroe Clinic
Little, Steven Agnesian HealthCare
Plantenberg, Thomas Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital
Kepchar, Dennis Ministry Health Care
Wallace, Michael Fort HealthCare
Calhoun, William Mercy Medical Center, Oshkosh
Shabino, Charles, MD Wisconsin Hospital Association
Kryda, Michael, MD Saint Joseph’s Hospital
Byrne, Frank, MD St. Mary’s Hospital
Wallace, Michael Fort HealthCare
Contributions Ranging from $1000 - $1999
Leitch, Laura Wisconsin Hospital Association
Merline, Paul Wisconsin Hospital Association
Kachelski, Joe WHA Information Center
Braddock, Jonathan WHA Financial Solutions, Inc.
Tyre, Scott Wisconsin Hospital Association
Stanford, Matthew Wisconsin Hospital Association
Boese, Jennifer Wisconsin Hospital Association
Bazan, Bill Wisconsin Hospital Association
Warmuth, Judith Wisconsin Hospital Association
Gazzana, Thomas Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Nannis, Paul Aurora Health Care
Loftus, Philip Aurora Health Care
Nestor, Donald Aurora Health Care
Buettner, Susan Aurora Health Care
Devermann, Robert Aurora Medical Center of Oshkosh
O’Brien, Mary Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center
Starmann-Harrison, Mary SSM Health Care-Wisconsin
Erwin, Duane Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Kaufman, Nancy Aurora Health Care
Van Cleave, Bruce Aurora Health Care
Erickson, Lief Aurora Health Care-South Region
Wick, Timothy Burnett Medical Center
Koehler, Thomas Aurora BayCare Medical Center
Olson, David Bay Area Medical Center
Britton, Gregory Beloit Memorial Hospital
Robertstad, John Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital
Johnson, George Reedsburg Area Medical Center
Anderson, Loren Aurora Health Care-South Region
Birkenstock, Timothy Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Dunigan, Thomas Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Karuschak, Michael Amery Regional Medical Center
Munson, Kenneth Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Derrig, Thomas, MD Aurora Health Care
Olson, Edward Waukesha Memorial Hospital
Fale, Robert Agnesian HealthCare
Westrick, Paul Columbia St. Mary’s-Milwaukee Campus
Bruce, Bill St. Joseph’s Community Health Services
Kosanovich, John Watertown Memorial Hospital
Eichman, Cynthia Our Lady of Victory Hospital
Petasnick, William Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital
Eiler, Gary
Fish, David St. Joseph’s Hospital
Ganju, Badri Aurora Health Care
Martin, Jeff Ministry Health Care
Wachs, Jon Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare
Kief, Brian Howard Young Medical Center
Johnsrud, Kimry Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare - Elmbrook Memorial
Mohorek, Ronald Ministry Health Care
Canter, Richard Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare
Wolf, Edward Lakeview Medical Center
Peter Kammer The Essie Kammer Group
Contributions Ranging from $2000 - $2999
Brenton, Mary E. Wisconsin Hospital Association
Quinn, George Wisconsin Hospital Association
Titus, Rexford ProHealth Care
Buser, Kenneth Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare - All Saints
Vice, Jon Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Ela, Susan Aurora Health Care
Brideau, Leo Columbia St. Mary’s-Columbia Campus
Johnson, Peter Aurora Health Care
Mahoney, Lorelle Aurora Health Care
Oliverio, John Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare
Contributions $3000 and up
Brenton, Stephen Wisconsin Hospital Association
Borgerding, Eric Wisconsin Hospital Association
Turkal, Nick Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center
Size, Tim Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative
WHA, RWHC Challenge New CAH Relocation RulesThe Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued new guidelines regarding Critical Access Hospital (CAH) relocations. These guidelines would apply to any "necessary provider" CAH that wishes to relocate its facility. WHA and the Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative (RWHC) have analyzed the guidelines and identified a number of significant problems:
"With these guidelines, CMS appears to be implementing a ‘back door’ CAH decertification strategy," said George Quinn, WHA senior vice president. "WHA will be working closely with the Rural Cooperative to find a way to overturn them."
Options being considered are changes to CMS regulations or a legislative solution.
President’s Column: Letter to Wisconsin Legislature|
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Expert Panel: Consumer-Driven Health Care Hinges on Transparency
Employers provide employees’ incentives to shop for health care
Health care reform is not new. Historically, large employers had led the health care reform charge. The LeapFrog Group, for example, has pushed providers to be more transparent, backed consumer-directed health plans, and introduced pay for performance. All these changes, according to Francois de Brantes, CEO, Bridges to Excellence, are injecting normal market forces into health care.
Speaking at the Evidence-Based Health Policy Project symposium October 3 in Madison, de Brantes noted when significant changes occur in health care, it is usually because employers are seeing health care costs squeeze out profits. In the past, de Brantes said employers focused on initiatives that are under their locus of control, such as sourcing and plan design, that are not overly disruptive to the workforce.
Employers now favor benefit changes that provide incentives for employees to be engaged consumers, stay healthy and to seek care at the "right" hospital or from the "right" physician.
"Employers are now looking at value-driven health benefit designs that answer the question, ‘How do we create the right behaviors?’" de Brantes said. He said the move to consumer-driven health care hinges on educating consumers and providing them with information.
Dana Richardson, Wisconsin Hospital Association vice president, quality initiatives, explained that her most recent project—the development of a health care consumer education program—was developed with consumers in mind. The program consists of three modules that provide tools for consumers to use when interacting with the health care system.
The modules show consumers how to select insurance based on their needs, use decision-making tools that are available on the Internet and enable them to have a proactive conversation with their health care provider. The tools Richardson used in her education modules include CheckPoint, PricePoint and the Wisconsin Collaborative for Healthcare Quality. (www.wicheckpoint.org, www.wipricepoint.org, and www.wchq.org).
Richardson said when consumers start to use the tool,"It will provide a ‘living laboratory’ that will help us begin to understand what consumers need to evaluate the quality, safety and value of the care they receive from Wisconsin health care providers."
Chris Queram, president and CEO of the Wisconsin Collaborative for Healthcare Quality, also presented at the symposium. He said hospitals and physicians have provided a significant degree of leadership to Wisconsin’s transparency efforts. Because of that, there is an impressive breadth of information available in Wisconsin compared to other states, he added.
WHA Education: Health Care Budgeting & Financial Management Offered Dec. 5Participants will learn how to read financial performance reports, develop a budget, identify performance improvement targets, and analyze work processes to enhance productivity and improve customer satisfaction.
A brochure and registration form are included in this week’s packet and on the Web site at www.wha.org. Online registration is also available.
For information on program content, contact Jennifer Frank at 608-274-1820 or email jfrank@wha.org. Direct registration questions to Lisa Geishirt at 608-274-1820 or
lgeishirt@wha.org.Top of page
Community Benefits: Stories From Our Hospitals – Aurora Sinai Medical Center, Milwaukee
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Oza Holmes is the breast care coordinator at Aurora Sinai Medical Center who sponsors and facilitates a support group, "Women & Men Supporting Each Other: African-American Breast Cancer Support Group." Participants meet the third Saturday of each month from September to June. During the summer months, the group stays in touch by phone to support newcomers and also attend special outings. Aurora has supported this group for African-American women and men diagnosed with breast cancer since 1993. It is the only support group of this kind in the city of Milwaukee, bridging the gap that existed in the community. It empowers many African-American women and men with breast cancer, and their families, to learn about and cope with this disease. The group has over 100 members from around Milwaukee County, Racine/Kenosha. The members are active in the community.
Community Benefits: Stories From Our Hospitals – Grant Regional Health Center, LancasterGrant Regional Health Center recently hosted a Teen Health & Wellness Seminar. The free seminar was designed to provide girls, currently in grades five through eight, with information about the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. The committee members felt at this impressionable age they could make a big impact on young lives. Lancaster is a small, rural community that unfortunately doesn’t offer wellness programs for girls in this age category. The committee saw an unmet need in the community and thought they could do a pilot project for just Lancaster in hopes that it would be successful and would be able to offer future programs for other schools/communities. Flyers were distributed through the middle school health education classes and also mailed to parents with girls in those specific grades. A news release and radio spots were also used to promote the seminar.
The program offered four 30-minute breakout sessions including:
1. Positive Image & Attitude – presented by Gina Trollop of WKM Psychology.
2. Healthy Diet & Exercise – presented by Tracy Ackerman, registered dietitian at Grant
Regional Health Center
3. Physical Appearance & Maturing – presented by Kelly Muench, physician assistant at Grant Community Clinic.
4. Skin Care & Make-Up Tips – Holly Oyen, cosmetologist/skin care consultant, Hair Rage.
Each participant received a complimentary Wellness Kit and healthy snacks.
Submit hospital community benefit stories to Mary Kay Grasmick, editor, at
mgrasmick@wha.org.Top of page
Member News: DHHS Honors Hospitals for Organ Donation Efforts
Fourteen Wisconsin hospitals earn honor
Wisconsin’s continued commitment to organ donation is gaining national attention. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Service (DHHS) Organ Transplantation Breakthrough Collaborative recognized
14 Wisconsin hospitals with a Medal of Honor for their work in achieving a 75 percent or more donation rate, meaning three-fourths of the people who were eligible to be an organ donor became one. The national average is 60 percent.
The Health and Human Services Medal of Honor was presented to about 320 hospitals at the National Organ Donation Learning Congress on Oct. 9 and 10 in Nashville, Tennessee. The 14 hospitals in Wisconsin to earn the honor are:
Aspirus Wausau Hospitals, Inc.
Aurora BayCare Medical Center, Green Bay
Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center
Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital, Milwaukee
Gundersen Lutheran Hospital, La Crosse
Luther Hospital, Eau Claire
Meriter Hospital, Madison
Sacred Heart Hospital, Eau Claire
St. Mary’s Hospital, Madison
St. Vincent Hospital, Green Bay
Theda Clark Regional Medical Center
University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics, Madison
Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare - St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Milwaukee
Every day in the United States, 18 people die waiting for an organ transplant. Last year, the UW Health Organ Procurement Organization (OPO)—the federally legislated OPO that serves many of the hospitals in Wisconsin—worked with 117 donor families, resulting in 546 transplants. Nationally, a new patient is added to the transplant waiting list every 13 minutes. Nationwide, more than 97,000 patients are waiting for their second chance at life through an organ transplant. Nearly 1,500 of these patients live in Wisconsin.
Member News: Affinity Names Travis Andersen President of St. Elizabeth HospitalAndersen will continue to lead the cancer program for Affinity Health System, which he has done for more than one year.
A native of Wilton, Iowa, Andersen received his bachelor’s degree in psychology and German from Simpson College, Indianola, Iowa, and his master’s degree in hospital and health administration from the University of Iowa, Iowa City. He is still active at the University of Iowa as an adjunct faculty and board member in the health administration program.
Affinity is working on a transition plan and interim reporting structure for Calumet Medical Center.
Member News: Memorial Medical Center Achieves CAH StatusMemorial Medical Center (MMC), Ashland, received approval for Critical Access Hospital (CAH) status. MMC made the change under the Medicare program effective October 1.
The status potentially will help reduce hospital costs for insured and self-pay patients.
"The Critical Access Hospital status assures that MMC will continue to provide critically important health care services to the people of the northland," said Daniel Hymans, Memorial Medical Center president/CEO.
WHA Financial Solutions: Wisconsin Hospital Group Benefits SurveyIt’s time once again for the Wisconsin Hospital Group Benefits survey. In its fourth year, the survey is a valuable tool for benefit comparisons.
Your hospital’s participation in this survey is important for a more powerful report, which provides many benefits including:
Questions about the survey may be directed to Jon Braddock (jbraddock@wha.org) at WHA Financial Solutions, Inc. at 800-362-7121 or Fred Bounds (fred.bounds@kunkel-bounds.com) at Kunkel, Bounds and Associates, Inc. at 608-987-1155.