November 17, 2006
Volume 50, Issue 43
Wisconsin hospitals were busier than ever caring for patients in 2005, according to data available annually from the WHA Information Center (WHAIC). Admissions to Wisconsin hospitals topped 608,000 in 2005, increasing 2 percent over 2004, and 5.6 percent over the last four years. In addition, hospital outpatient services increased by 20 percent, keeping pace with a long-term trend that finds hospitals treating patients in less acute settings. In fact, 2005 results show that 46 percent of all hospital services are now provided on an outpatient basis.
Providing care to those patients were over 104,000 full-time and part-time hospital employees. The number of employees increased by 6 percent over 2004, with a total payroll of more than $5.1 billion. As major employers, Wisconsin’s 125 community hospitals are vital components of the state’s economic portfolio. In many parts of Wisconsin, hospitals are the backbone of their local communities and local economies.
Wisconsin hospitals realized a patient care margin of 5.4 percent, slightly higher than margins reported in the three previous years. At the same time, 30 hospitals lost money on patient care, a total that would have been higher were it not for the Critical Access Hospital Program, which helps preserve access to hospital care through higher Medicare and Medicaid payments for Wisconsin’s small, rural hospitals.
Shortfalls from government programs and uncompensated care continued to increase in 2005. On average, the Medicare Program paid hospitals only 78 percent of the cost of providing care to beneficiaries, while Medicaid paid even less – 49 percent. That translates into nearly $1.5 billion of hospital patient care costs not funded by government programs that were shifted to others – otherwise known as the "hidden health care tax."
The Medicaid shortfall of $523 million hits some hospitals especially hard, with the seven hospitals in the city of Milwaukee burdened by over $138 million of that total, and being paid only 46 percent of costs. One of those hospitals, St. Michael, closed its doors in early 2006, with Medicaid shortfalls playing a large role.
Uncompensated care totaled $533 million, with charity care costs increasing by 16 percent to
$141 million, and bad debt expense increasing 14 percent to $392 million. Close to nothing is collected from those without insurance. These unpaid bills are also part of what hospitals must pass on to commercial payers.
"Wisconsin hospitals play a leading role in Wisconsin’s economy, while providing high quality, cost-effective care," said WHA Senior Vice President George Quinn. "But a continuing and troublesome phenomenon is unfunded patient care expenses, which add to the costs shouldered by commercial payers, now amounting to over 20 percent of the hospital bill for a patient with commercial insurance."
AHA Releases Guidance on Community Benefit Reporting, Differs From WHA RecommendationsThis week, AHA sent out an advisory outlining its policy and guidance to members on community benefits reporting. In this guideline, AHA suggests that hospitals embrace the reporting requirements contained in the CHA/VHA Guide for Planning and Reporting Community Benefit, but with the additional reporting of bad debt and Medicare underpayment at cost.
It is important to note that the AHA position is different from the policy that was adopted by the WHA Board through the recommendations of the Community Benefits Task Force. WHA’s community benefits definition agrees with the CHA/VHA Guide for Planning and Reporting Community Benefit, which does not include the reporting of bad debt and Medicare underpayment. WHA’s Community Benefits Task Force decided on the CHA/VHA definition because it is the most widely accepted definition of community benefits, and is more conservative.
AHA has developed a community benefits reporting form and recommends that hospitals complete the form and attach it to IRS Form 990. WHA believes that is a good idea, however, the form being used by AHA does not follow the definitions that WHA is using to collect and report community benefits. WHA is in the process of developing a form that conforms to the CHA/VHA community benefits definitions that Wisconsin hospitals can use if they choose to submit this information with Form 990. The revised form will be included in the December 1 Friday packet.
WCMEW Sets Strategies for Physician Education, Recruitment, and Advanced Practice ProvidersThe Wisconsin Council on Medical Education and Workforce (WCMEW) meeting on November 15 set the stage for three new initiatives for meeting Wisconsin’s physician workforce needs.
First, the Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation has generously proposed to assist in financing the medical education needs of UW Medical students participating in the Wisconsin Academy for Rural Medicine (WARM). WARM is the UW Medical School’s curriculum focused on educating medical students to practice medicine in rural areas. WCMEW will work with the Foundation on implementing this initiative.
Second, WCMEW will develop strategies, including education programs and identifying best practices, to help facilitate greater use of Advance Practice Providers (APPs) in Wisconsin’s health systems. APPs are seen as one way to leverage physician supply.
Finally, WCMEW will develop a web portal for recruiting physicians back to Wisconsin. The portal will target those physicians practicing in other states who have some ties to Wisconsin – education, residency, or other background – and inform them of practice opportunities here.
If you have questions about WCMEW’s activities, contact George Quinn at WHA at 608-274-1820.
Political Action Spotlight: 625 Contributors Make 2006 a Record Fundraising Year2006 was another record year for the Wisconsin Hospitals Political Action fundraising campaign. Exceeding the $185,000 monetary goal and increasing the number of individuals participating in the campaign by more than 100 from 2005 were two major accomplishments. 625 individuals from 85 hospitals across the state made a contribution to one of the three funds – the Wisconsin Hospitals Conduit, the Wisconsin Hospitals PAC, and the Wisconsin Hospital Association Federal PAC.
More than $228,000 was disbursed to candidate campaign committees in 2006 – another record! This is up 36 percent from the 2002 election year and 20 percent from the 2004 election year.
A final listing of contributors to the 2006 fundraising campaign is published below. For more information about the campaign, contact WHA’s Jodi Bloch or Jenny Boese at 608-274-1820.
Contributions Ranging from $1 - $249
Margan, Rob Wisconsin Hospital Association
Cutler, Dave WHA Financial Solutions, Inc.
Hoffman, Nancy Memorial Community Hospital, Edgerton
Gorczynski, Michael Aurora Health Care
Boes, Jody Door County Memorial Hospital
McKuen, Sandra Door County Memorial Hospital
Quade, Steve Door County Memorial Hospital
VanPay, Christa Door County Memorial Hospital
Sneath, Roger Columbus Community Hospital
Scieszinski, Robert Door County Memorial Hospital
Holub, Gregory Door County Memorial Hospital
Hemes, Lisa St. Elizabeth Hospital
Veeser, Tom Mercy Medical Center
Henning, Connie Hayward Area Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home
Zeller, Brad Spooner Health System
Steen, Sylvia St. Mary’s Hospital of Superior
Schraufnagel, Patricia Memorial Medical Center
Meysembourg, Len Spooner Health System
Bank, Carol Divine Savior Healthcare
Blackburn, Randee Chippewa Valley Hospital and Oakview Care Center
Coller, James St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center
Anich, Matthew Memorial Medical Center
Erickson, Nancy St. Mary’s Hospital of Superior
Constable, Thomas ProHealth Care
Reinke, Kathy Shawano Medical Center
Sullivan, Anne Memorial Medical Center
Marcouiller, Don Memorial Medical Center
Klinge, Ann Memorial Medical Center
Albers, Kirstin Meriter Hospital
Myers, Robert Vernon Memorial Healthcare
Whiteaker, Les Memorial Medical Center
Harrop, Pauline Meriter Hospital
Jacobsen, Joan Meriter Hospital
Pupanek, William Meriter Hospital
Rothfuss, James Meriter Hospital
Maersch, Nancy Meriter Hospital
Hammel, Jennifer Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Petersen, Mary Beth Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Meurer, John Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Lange, Mark Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Prince, Nancy Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Baer, James Shawano Medical Center
Scinto, Jeanne Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Dooley, Richard Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Frederickson, Terry Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Grunwald, Patricia Meriter Hospital
Kundinger, Ruth Flambeau Hospital
Boiso, David Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Burtch, Sue Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Fochs, Mary Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Rusch, Judith Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Adams, Daniel Memorial Medical Center
Frank, Martin Waukesha Memorial Hospital
Burgener, Jean Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Burgett, Lyle Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Nevers, Rick Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Skeans, John All Saints Healthcare
Olson, Keri St. Clare Hospital and Health Services
Herbert, William Meriter Hospital
Maroney, Lisa
Tracey, Robert Franciscan Skemp Healthcare-Sparta
Melby, Shirley Tri-County Memorial Hospital
Lorenz, Bruce Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Garavet, Scott Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Pittsley, Kim Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Campbell-Kelz, Nancy Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Carrier-Diemer, Peggy Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Cohen, Joan Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Decker, Dawn Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Gantner, Sue Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Wojciechowski, Gary Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Brzezinski, Karen Good Samaritan Health Center of Merrill
Dittrich, Peggy Memorial Health Center
Franson, Patricia Meriter Hospital
Studer, Vince Shawano Medical Center
Watts, Susan St. Vincent Hospital
Roundy, Ann Columbus Community Hospital
Facey, Alice St. Clare Hospital and Health Services
Schaefer, Joyce Amery Regional Medical Center
Bouvat, Dale Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Peickert, Barbara Hayward Area Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home
Marnell, John Hudson Hospital
Smickley, Robert ProHealth Care
Mathews, Larry St. Vincent Hospital
Bliven, David Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Drengler, Kathryn Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Ellis, Nancy Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Erickson, Robert Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Gengler, Tim Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Hoege, Beverly Reedsburg Area Medical Center
Sio, Tim Meriter Hospital
Coblentz, Kathy Jo St. Joseph’s Community Health Services
Curdie, Ralph Tri-County Memorial Hospital
Mickelson, Ronald St. Clare Hospital and Health Services
Barry, Barbara Memorial Medical Center
Gutsch, Mike Memorial Health Center
Lyons, James Waukesha Memorial Hospital
Pinekenstein, Barbara Meriter Hospital
Gamroth, Charlotte Tri-County Memorial Hospital
Land, Andrew Agnesian HealthCare
Gilberg, Nina Hayward Area Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home
Buss, Diane St. Mary’s Hospital
Beers, William St. Clare Hospital and Health Services
Elsen, Mary Pat St. Clare Hospital and Health Services
Johnson, Shirley Tri-County Memorial Hospital
Bjork, Ted Westfields Hospital
Theisen, Gary Agnesian HealthCare
McKevett, Timothy Beloit Memorial Hospital
Johnson, Patricia Hayward Area Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home
Ganahl, John Sacred Heart Hospital
Jelle, Laura St. Clare Hospital and Health Services
Pielhop, Judy Sacred Heart Hospital
Berndt, Ken Bellin Memorial Hospital
Dettman, Amy Bellin Memorial Hospital
Roethle, Linda Bellin Psychiatric Center
Fry, Robert Bellin Memorial Hospital
Hieb, Laura Bellin Memorial Hospital
Rocheleau, John Bellin Memorial Hospital
Watson, Christopher Bellin Memorial Hospital
Owen, Marlene Flambeau Hospital
Aittama, Craig Saint Michael’s Hospital
Baker, David Saint Michael’s Hospital
Bessen, Paulette Saint Michael’s Hospital
Gaynor, Stanley Black River Memorial Hospital
Clough, Sheila Howard Young Medical Center
Pahl, Joan Meriter Hospital
DeWitt, Pamela St. Joseph’s Community Health Services
McCoic, Kristie St. Joseph’s Community Health Services
Skifton, Russell Saint Michael’s Hospital
Ashbeck, Norbert Good Samaritan Health Center of Merrill
Pfeifer, Patricia Saint Michael’s Hospital
Shave, Sandra Saint Michael’s Hospital
LaBarge, Margie Saint Michael’s Hospital
Schultz, Rhea Meriter Hospital
Hinner, William Ministry Health Care
Schill, Jane Saint Michael’s Hospital
Gullicksrud, Lynn Sacred Heart Hospital
Evans, Carol Memorial Medical Center
Juckem, Elizabeth Columbia St. Mary’s-Milwaukee Campus
Kaster, Dennis Saint Michael’s Hospital
Brisch-Cramer, Deb Hudson Hospital
Jay, John Community Memorial Hospital
Harnisch, Betty Memorial Medical Center
Jirous, Becky Saint Michael’s Hospital
King, Steve Saint Michael’s Hospital
Keene, Kaaron Memorial Health Center
Caven, Michael Memorial Medical Center
Stellflue, Nancy Tri-County Memorial Hospital
Meyer, Markie Community Memorial Hospital
Lenertz, Brad Memorial Health Center
Shoup, Judy Saint Michael’s Hospital
Dittmar, Clarence Community Memorial Hospital
Van Winkle, Gregory Community Memorial Hospital
Heider, Lisa Community Memorial Hospital
Pennebecker, Allen Ministry Health Care
Ott, Virginia St. Joseph’s Hospital
Turtenwald, Robyn Community Memorial Hospital
Castelaz, Kathy St. Vincent Hospital
Benusa, Kris Tri-County Memorial Hospital
McCloskey, Lynne Saint Michael’s Hospital
Bellin, Carolyn Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital
Iding, Laura Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital
Andersen, Travis Calumet Medical Center
Bagemihl, Katherine Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital
Connell, Marilyn Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital
Cranberg, Judith Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital
Waldoch, Timothy Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital
Werlein, George Sacred Heart Hospital
Ackerman, Jamie Sacred Heart Hospital
Albrecht, Linda Sacred Heart Hospital
Cebula, Michelle Sacred Heart Hospital
McKay, Jean Sacred Heart Hospital
Peterson, Brenda Sacred Heart Hospital
Pittenger, Jeannie Sacred Heart Hospital
Roshell, Diane Sacred Heart Hospital
Schweigert, Joy Sacred Heart Hospital
Segerstrom, Amy Sacred Heart Hospital
Skrukrud, Annette Sacred Heart Hospital
Skulan-Balmer, Anna Sacred Heart Hospital
Tandberg, Christine Sacred Heart Hospital
Vogler, Linda Sacred Heart Hospital
Axelsen, Kathern Sacred Heart Hospital
Hellard, Robin Sacred Heart Hospital
Piper, Barbara Sacred Heart Hospital
Spanos, Chris Meriter Hospital
Aminpour, Ali Sacred Heart Hospital
Anderson, Mark Sacred Heart Hospital
Carlson, Carol Sacred Heart Hospital
Ellious, Nicolle Sacred Heart Hospital
Lien, Kristine Sacred Heart Hospital
Mackey, Theresa Sacred Heart Hospital
Poquette, Jane Sacred Heart Hospital
Smith, Julie Sacred Heart Hospital
Soward, Cindy Sacred Heart Hospital
Stone, Stacy Sacred Heart Hospital
Storing, Sandy Sacred Heart Hospital
Possin, Charles Meriter Hospital
Bryans, Richard Sacred Heart Hospital
DeMars, Nancy Sacred Heart Hospital
Dwyer, Amy Sacred Heart Hospital
Johnson, Jean Sacred Heart Hospital
Kranig, Robin Sacred Heart Hospital
LuCore, Michael Sacred Heart Hospital
Nulsen, Kate Sacred Heart Hospital
Pengra, Mary Sacred Heart Hospital
Richbourg, Mary Sacred Heart Hospital
Schmelzle, Barbara Sacred Heart Hospital
Spindler, Greg Sacred Heart Hospital
Stack, John Sacred Heart Hospital
Block, Jennifer Sacred Heart Hospital
Preston, Mark Sacred Heart Hospital
Brunner, Pam Sacred Heart Hospital
Comerford, Angela Sacred Heart Hospital
Klapperich, Linda Our Lady of Victory Hospital
Peskie, Walt Flambeau Hospital
Barkovich, Catherine Sacred Heart Hospital
Beckler, Rick Sacred Heart Hospital
Bloom, Deborah Sacred Heart Hospital
Flanagan, Tracy Sacred Heart Hospital
Hassemer, Robert Sacred Heart Hospital
Hon, Ronald Sacred Heart Hospital
Johnson, Kimberly Sacred Heart Hospital
Leonard, Thomas Sacred Heart Hospital
Mason, Robert Sacred Heart Hospital
Nezworski, Joseph Sacred Heart Hospital
Padilla, Gilbert Sacred Heart Hospital
Polenz, Scott Sacred Heart Hospital
Schultz, Rebecca Sacred Heart Hospital
Sprengeler, John Sacred Heart Hospital
VanDeVoort, John Sacred Heart Hospital
Wrobel, Roberta Sacred Heart Hospital
Dalebroux, Steve St. Mary’s Hospital
Gjolberg, Skip Sacred Heart Hospital
Schwoegler, Mary St. Mary’s Hospital
Greene, Roxanne Our Lady of Victory Hospital
Folstad, John Sacred Heart Hospital
Kaiser, Ann Sacred Heart Hospital
Mohr, Carol Sacred Heart Hospital
Peiffer, Susan Sacred Heart Hospital
Prock, Gail Sacred Heart Hospital
Beglinger, Joan St. Mary’s Hospital
Brennan, Karen St. Mary’s Hospital
Huemmer, Paul St. Mary’s Hospital
Marggi, Michele St. Mary’s Hospital
Rothenbuehler, Gary St. Mary’s Hospital
Rounds, Thomas St. Mary’s Hospital
Sutton, Mary St. Mary’s Hospital
Appleton, Karl St. Vincent Hospital
LuCore, Patricia Sacred Heart Hospital
McFarlane, Marge Sacred Heart Hospital
Palecek, Steve Sacred Heart Hospital
Dwyer, Maxine St. Mary’s Hospital
Jensen, Russell St. Mary’s Hospital
Leonard, Mary Kay St. Mary’s Hospital
Kowalkowski, Carolyn St. Joseph’s Hospital
Horn, Diane St. Joseph’s Hospital
Schrage, Karen St. Joseph’s Hospital
Craft, Carolyn St. Joseph’s Hospital
Giedd, Jan St. Joseph’s Hospital
McNutt, Brad St. Joseph’s Hospital
Brockman, Susan Meriter Hospital
Elliott, Roger St. Joseph’s Hospital
Swanson, Bert St. Joseph’s Hospital
Wynimko, Susan St. Joseph’s Hospital
Palagi, Richard Sauk Prairie Memorial Hospital
Walker, Troy St. Clare Hospital and Health Services
Koehler, Robert St. Joseph’s Hospital
Rubenzer, Deanne St. Joseph’s Hospital
Marsch, Jean St. Vincent Hospital
Schamberg, MD, Jay Aurora Health Care
Boese, June St. Luke’s Hospital
Neikirk, Jon Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital
Brenny, Terrence Stoughton Hospital Association
Belland, Kathy All Saints Healthcare
Boland, Susan All Saints Healthcare
Clark, Dennis St. Joseph’s Hospital
Monien, Yvonne Saint Michael’s Hospital
Casey, Candy Columbia Center
Edwards, Marge Moundview Memorial Hospital & Clinics
Mulder, Doris Beloit Memorial Hospital
Buelow, William Meriter Hospital
Meyer, Jeffery Osceola Medical Center
Stelzer, Jason St. Clare Hospital and Health Services
Winegarden, Carol L. St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center
Backman, Dan Tri-County Memorial Hospital
Fowler, Rose All Saints Healthcare
Ouimet, Mary All Saints Healthcare
Govier, Mary Holy Family Memorial Medical Center
Zorbini, John Community Memorial Hospital
Larson, William St. Joseph’s Hospital
Klay, Lois St. Joseph’s Hospital
Christianson, Roger St. Mary’s Hospital
Raaum, Karl Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital
Laatsch, Lisa Lakeview Medical Center
Pollard, Dennis Community Memorial Hospital
Hansen, Carrie Ministry Health Care
Pechan, Marlene St. Mary’s Hospital
Grohskopf, Kevin SSM Health Care-Wisconsin
Fenno, James St. Joseph’s Hospital
Busch, Rebecca Spooner Health System
Chan, Wing Meriter Hospital
Hurt, Rhonda St. Joseph’s Hospital
Ballinger, Michael Ministry Health Care
Tuttle, Kathryn Memorial Medical Center
Schaetzl, Ron St. Clare Hospital and Health Services
Savage, Wendy Good Samaritan Health Center of Merrill
Oberweis, Joseph St. Joseph’s Hospital
Clark, Julie Ann St. Joseph’s Hospital
Gorecki, Susan Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Nohelty, Peter Sacred Heart Hospital
Coady, Susan Good Samaritan Health Center of Merrill
Hackbarth, Margorie St. Clare Hospital and Health Services
May, Carol Mercy Health System
Bartingale, Robert St. Vincent Hospital
Braun, James Flambeau Hospital
Friend, Kathleen Aurora Health Care
Olszewski, Kathleen Saint Michael’s Hospital
Dries, Cindy Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Green, Mary Jean Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Klawans, Charles Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Powers, Mary Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Clapp, Nicole Grant Regional Health Center
Bloch, Peter Wisconsin Hospital Association
Kellenberger, Norma Beaver Dam Community Hospitals
Cleveland, Herbert Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Oerter, Tracy Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Schlapman, Barbara Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Weiner, Debra Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
McBrearty, Mary Jo St. Nicholas Hospital
Johnson, Howard Lakeview Medical Center
Swift, Roberta Ministry Health Care
Bradley, Edward St. Nicholas Hospital
Cherrier, Lori Columbus Community Hospital
Geboy, Scott Hall Render
Curran, Joan Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center
Kruse, Joe Franciscan Skemp Healthcare-La Crosse
Gerke, Mary L. Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center
Hiatt, Emily Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center
Snow, David Hall Render
Klauck, James Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital
Renwick, Richard Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center
Renwick, Suzette Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center
Corradi, Frank St. Joseph’s Hospital
Mueller, Joan Franciscan Skemp Healthcare-La Crosse Campus
Boson, Ann Saint Joseph’s Hospital
Swiderski, Julie Wheaton Franiscan - Milwaukee
Marquardt, Amy Columbia St. Mary’s-Columbia Campus
Gleichert, Ann Lakeview Medical Center
Lange, Heidi All Saints Healthcare
Fink, Jordan, M.D. Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Lerch, Shawn Columbus Community Hospital
Seidenstricker, Paul Hall Render
Jensema, Christine St. Nicholas Hospital
Stonebaker, Pat Allison Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Kiel-Rosser, Karen Agnesian HealthCare
Gleichert, Ann Lakeview Medical Center
Sanicola, Suzanne Columbia St. Mary’s - Columbia Campus
Contributions Ranging from $250 - $499
Potter, Brian Wisconsin Hospital Association
White, Michelle WHA Financial Solutions, Inc.
Rickelman, Debbie WHA Information Center
Ayers, Mandy Wisconsin Hospital Association
Brazys, Mary Wisconsin Hospital Association
Riddle, Roberta Wisconsin Hospital Association
Navti, Abigail Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare
Smith, Gregory Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare
Hofer, John Bay Area Medical Center
Fish, Linda Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Lange, Dr. George Westgate Medical Group, CSMCP
Peterson, Douglas Chippewa Valley Hospital and Oakview Care Center
Anderson, Susan Beloit Memorial Hospital
Bestor, William Community Memorial Hospital
Banzhaf, Elaine Waukesha Memorial Hospital
Buerstatte, Gary ProHealth Care
Deich, Faye Sacred Heart Hospital
Bezucha, Gary Boscobel Area Health Care
Meyer, Miles Meriter Hospital
Blask, Daniel ProHealth Care
Decker, Michael Divine Savior Healthcare
Mlynarek, Robert Waukesha Memorial Hospital
Jentsch, Lisa Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Oswald, John Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Sale, Nora Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Wyatt, David
Bayer, Tom St. Vincent Hospital
Nunn, Jake Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center
Fischer, Kay Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Jamieson, Donna Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Johnson, Roy Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Melzer-Lange, Marlene Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Olive, Willie Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Ordinans, Karen Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Sachse, Kelly Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Sperka, Julie Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Hessert, Peter Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Olkowski, Leland Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Casanova, James Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Rocole, Theresa All Saints Healthcare
Mantei, Mary Jo Bay Area Medical Center
Nick, Mary Meriter Hospital
Westphal, Judith Affinity Health System
Danner, Forrest Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Sczygelski, Sidney Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Holmes, Christine Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Jablonski, James Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Censky, Bill Holy Family Memorial Medical Center
Lodes, Mary Waukesha Memorial Hospital
VanCourt, Bernie Bay Area Medical Center
Johnson, Curtis Tri-County Memorial Hospital
Jensen, Christopher Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Klunk, Timothy Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
O’Connor, Mary Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Reagan, Theresa Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Carlson, Dan Bay Area Medical Center
Oberholtzer, Curt Bay Area Medical Center
Oldham, Keith Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Pedretti, Julie Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Kellar, Richard West Allis Memorial Hospital
Hoff, Linda Meriter Hospital
Kessel, Maryanne Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Scott, Richard Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Weisman, Steven Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Biros, Marilyn SSM Health Care-Wisconsin
Stuart, Philip Tomah Memorial Hospital
Dietsche, James Bellin Memorial Hospital
Frohna, Michael Bellin Memorial Hospital
Peterson, Kimberly Bellin Memorial Hospital
Woleske, Chris Bellin Psychiatric Center
Gorelick, Marc Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Jay, M.D., Susan Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Emon, Dee Howard Young Medical Center
Hiltanen, Mary Bellin Memorial Hospital
Abels, Maya Aurora Health Care
Arnett, E. Stuart Aurora Health Care-South Region
Nelson, James Fort HealthCare
Jones, Tom St. Joseph’s Community Health Services
Hardy, Ellen Mile Bluff Medical Center
Krauklis, Gene Aurora Health Care-South Region
Gutekunst, Penny Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Kerschner, M.D., Joseph Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Hammer, Michael Good Samaritan Health Center of Merrill
Aulik, Juli
Harding, Edward Columbus Community Hospital
Dallman, Michael
Erickson, William Sacred Heart-St. Mary’s Hospitals
Spieckerman, Jill Sacred Heart-St. Mary’s Hospitals
Sutliff, John Sacred Heart-St. Mary’s Hospitals
Hilt, Monica Sacred Heart-St. Mary’s Hospitals
Jaeger, Lee Aurora Health Care
Kostroski, Sharon Saint Joseph’s Hospital
Skaden, John Saint Joseph’s Hospital
Neufelder, Daniel Affinity Health System
Knutzen, Barbara Agnesian HealthCare
Kluesner, Kevin Aurora Health Care-South Region
Neet, Bradley Saint Michael’s Hospital
Baker, Chris St. Mary’s Hospital
Miller, Barbara St. Mary’s Hospital
Huettl, Patty Sacred Heart Hospital
Ronstrom, Stephen Sacred Heart Hospital
Pedersen, Robin Aurora Health Care
Stanley, Lawrence J. Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Roraff, Greg Memorial Health Center
Brasseaux, Mary St. Nicholas Hospital
Meyer, Loren All Saints Healthcare
Brandel, Patrick Holy Family Memorial Medical Center
Strombom, Peter Meriter Hospital
Ashenhurst, Karla Ministry Health Care
Levar, Jane Ministry Health Care
Kuiper, Laurie Aurora Health Care
Huber, Mark Aurora Health Care
Mugan, James Agnesian HealthCare
Wilke, Julie Monroe Clinic, The
Henckel, Susan Columbia St. Mary’s Ozaukee Campus
Grundstrom, David Flambeau Hospital
Schroeder, Larry Sauk Prairie Memorial Hospital
Nockerts, Steven Richland Hospital
Potter, Terri Meriter Hospital
Hansen, Robert Cumberland Memorial Hospital
Schulz, Janet Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital
McNally, Maureen Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital
Heifetz, Michael SSM Health Care-Wisconsin
Blanchard, Michael Saint Joseph’s Hospital
Yunk, Dennis Agnesian HealthCare
Furlong, Marian Hudson Hospital
Eddy, Lee Anne Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Thiel, Mike Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Twinem, Thomas Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Clark, Mary Ann Cumberland Memorial Hospital
Moraski, Kevin Ministry Health Care
Tapper, Joy
Rozenfeld, Jonathan St. Mary’s Hospital
Kepchar, Dennis Ministry Health Care
Piehl, Steven Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Goelzer, Susan
Contributions Ranging from $500 - $999
Borgerding, Dana Wisconsin Hospital Association
Miloszewicz, Angela Wisconsin Hospital Association
Quinn, Connie Wisconsin Hospital Association
Frank, Jennifer Wisconsin Hospital Association
Richardson, Dana Wisconsin Hospital Association
Grasmick, Mary Kay Wisconsin Hospital Association
Warmuth, Eric Wisconsin Hospital Association
Shabino, Charles Wisconsin Hospital Association
Blum, William Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare
McGuire, Terrance Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare
Wachs, Jon Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare
Canter, Richard Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare
Smith, David Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare
Dicus-Johnson, Coreen Wheaton Franiscan - Milwaukee
Worrick, Gerald Door County Memorial Hospital
Grady, Glen Memorial Medical Center
Duncan, Larry Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Flowers, Patty Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Jones, Michael Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Kersten, Juliet Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Korom, Nancy Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Niemer, Margaret Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Anderson, Sandy St. Clare Hospital and Health Services
Schafer, Michael Spooner Health System
Vogel, Martin Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Gutzeit, Michael Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Vogel, Martin Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Radoszewski, Pat Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Reynolds, Sheila Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Brophy, Michael Aurora Health Care
Morgan, Dwight Aurora Health Care
Karuschak, Michael Amery Regional Medical Center
Banaszynski, Gregory Fort HealthCare
Postler-Slattery, Diane Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Kosanovich, John Watertown Memorial Hospital
McGee, Fred Meriter Hospital
Schumacher, Elizabeth Meriter Hospital
Neidenbach, Joseph St. Vincent Hospital
Kerwin, George Bellin Memorial Hospital
Herzog, Mark Holy Family Memorial Medical Center
Myers, Raymond St. Joseph’s Hospital
Hyland, Carol Agnesian HealthCare
Priest, MD, Geoffrey Meriter Hospital
Schmidt, Michael Saint Joseph’s Hospital
Johnson, Charles St. Mary’s Hospital
Shapiro, David Columbia St. Mary’s-Columbia Campus
Lockhart, MD, Jack Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center
Barnett, Jane
Becker, Richard Community Memorial Hospital
Bultema, Janice
Capelli, A.J. Aurora Health Care
Buck, Catherine Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital
Kinsella, Connie
Maxson-Cooper, Pamela Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital
O’Connell, Blaine Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital
Norton, Andrew Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital
Little, Steven Agnesian HealthCare
Byrne, Frank St. Mary’s Hospital
Hamilton, Mark
Richards, Theresa Saint Joseph’s Hospital
Wallace, Michael Fort HealthCare
Robertstad, John Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital
Umland, Steve Ministry Health Care
Kryda, Michael Saint Joseph’s Hospital
Runge, Charles Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital
Heisler, John SSM Health Care-Wisconsin
Teigen, Bobbe Aurora Medical Center - Manitowoc
Hymans, Daniel Memorial Medical Center
Wilk, Leonard Aurora Sinai Medical Center
Klawiter, Anne Southwest Health Center
Dreher, Charles Columbia St. Mary’s-Milwaukee Campus
Contributions Ranging from $1000 - $1999
Leitch, Laura Wisconsin Hospital Association
Stanford, Matthew Wisconsin Hospital Association
Braddock, Jonathan WHA Financial Solutions, Inc.
Bazan, Bill Wisconsin Hospital Association
Bloch, Jodi Wisconsin Hospital Association
Kachelski, Joe WHA Information Center
Boese, Jennifer Wisconsin Hospital Association
Quinn, George Wisconsin Hospital Association
Oliverio, John Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare
Olson, David Bay Area Medical Center
Kaufman, Nancy Aurora Health Care
Birkenstock, Timothy Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Christensen, Cinthia Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Dunigan, Thomas Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Gazzana, Thomas Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Hutchison, Heather Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Munson, Kenneth Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Fale, Robert Agnesian HealthCare
Britton, Gregory Beloit Memorial Hospital
Wolf, Edward Lakeview Medical Center
Starmann-Harrison, Mary SSM Health Care-Wisconsin
Olson, Edward Waukesha Memorial Hospital
Ela, Susan Aurora Health Care
Devermann, Robert Aurora Medical Center of Oshkosh
Smith, Linda Aurora BayCare Medical Center
Eichman, Cynthia Our Lady of Victory Hospital
Johnson, George Reedsburg Area Medical Center
Erwin, Duane Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Nestor, Donald Aurora Health Care
El-Jack, Mohamed Bay Area Medical Center
Karkkainen, Michael Bay Area Medical Center
Fish, David St. Joseph’s Hospital
Bruce, Billy St. Joseph’s Community Health Services
Westrick, Paul Columbia St. Mary’s-Milwaukee Campus
Petasnick, William Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital
Getto, Carl
Kief, Brian Howard Young Medical Center
Martin, Jeff Ministry Health Care
Eiler, Gary
Kammer, Peter Essie Consulting Group
Pandl, Therese Columbia St. Mary’s-Milwaukee Campus
Buettner, Susan Aurora Health Care
Wick, Timothy Burnett Medical Center
Mohorek, Ronald Ministry Health Care
Desien, Nicholas Ministry Health Care
Loftus, Philip Aurora Health Care
Mahoney, Lorelle Aurora Health Care
O’Brien, Mary Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center
McClausland, Maureen
Contributions Ranging from $2000 - $2999
Brenton, Mary E. Wisconsin Hospital Association
Turkal, Nick Aurora Health Care
Nannis, Paul Aurora Health Care
Anderson, Loren Aurora Health Care-South Region
Vice, Jon Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Brideau, Leo Columbia St. Mary’s-Columbia Campus
Sollenberger, Donna
Buser, Kenneth All Saints Healthcare
Contributions $3000 and up
Brenton, Stephen Wisconsin Hospital Association
Borgerding, Eric Wisconsin Hospital Association
Howe, Edwin Aurora Health Care
Size, Tim Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative
Milakovich, Paul Aurora Health Care
Titus, Rexford ProHealth Care
President’s Column: Letter to Gov. DoyleNovember 10, 2006
Governor James Doyle
Office of the Governor
State of Wisconsin
P.O. Box 7863
Madison, WI 53707-7863
Dear Governor Doyle:
First, congratulations on your impressive victory Tuesday night. You and your team ran an effective campaign and we look forward to working with you during your historic second term.
We both know that health care issues were a major factor in the 2006 election and will continue to be a priority for lawmakers and for your administration beyond the election. We are intrigued by the proposals that have been placed on the table thus far, including your still developing initiative for catastrophic insurance. As you know, Mary Starmann-Harrison, who chairs WHA’s Board of Directors, serves on your Healthy Wisconsin Council. WHA will be fully engaged in the coming health care reform debate (see attached WHA reform principles) and we look forward to working with you and your team on these critical and complex issues.
As you know, our association continues to be greatly concerned with Medicaid and BadgerCare issues. Growing these programs, either through existing or relaxed eligibility criteria, while providers continue to be under-reimbursed by a staggering amount is a serious concern for our members. This is perhaps best illustrated in the Milwaukee area where a handful of hospitals serve close to one half of Wisconsin’s non-elderly Medicaid population. These hospitals are also the de facto safety nets for a public health system on the brink of crisis. These hospitals and others across the state serving a "disproportionate" share of Medicaid and BadgerCare patients are struggling under the state’s current reimbursement policies.
Hospital payment rates have not been increased in several years. In fact, payment rates were cut more than once during the last four years. At a time when we are grappling with rising costs of health care, it has become increasingly difficult for hospitals to continue simply shifting the unpaid costs of Medicaid onto the backs of small employers and their employees. Medicaid and health care reform are inextricably linked.
We would like to request a meeting with you to further discuss areas of common concern and opportunity and the potential for strong collaboration in the coming weeks and months.
Kindest personal regards,
Stephen F. Brenton
President
Section 6032 of the Deficit Reduction Act ("Section 6032") mandates that state Medicaid programs amend their State Plans to require any entity that receives annual payments of at least $5 million under a state Medicaid program to establish written policies for its employees, contractors, and agents. The policy must include detailed information about:
Section 6032 also requires that if the entity has an employee handbook, the handbook must include similar information.
Notably, Section 6032 provides that the required policies are a condition of payment.
The effective date of Section 6032 is January 1, 2007. CMS has indicated that it will issue guidance to the states, including a State Plan amendment pre-print, but it hasn’t done so and likely won’t before the end of the year. States are expected to amend their Medicaid State Plans and to promulgate guidelines or regulations implementing this provision. However, because of current policies, the states can amend their State Plans until March 31 and still have an effective date January 1.
There is a reasonable argument that the January 1 effective date applies to the state Medicaid agencies, and not the "entities." However, because the requirements are a condition of payment, many providers are implementing policies before January 1 to limit (or eliminate) their risk of nonpayment by the Medicaid program.
Because State Medicaid agencies have not amended their State Plans and CMS has not issued any guidance, providers are struggling with drafting a policy. In an effort to help providers, WHA, with the assistance of Catherine Eastham, Rich Donkle, Bob Reed, Ralph Topinka, and Lori Wink, prepared a draft model policy that hospitals might consider using in order to make a good faith effort to comply with Section 6032 by January 1. Similar information can be included in any employee handbook.
The draft policy includes summaries of the federal and state laws. A hospital must add the information related to its policies and procedures for detecting and preventing fraud, waste and abuse and its whistleblower protections.
Once guidance is released from CMS and the State, hospitals will likely need to amend their policies and employee handbook provisions in order to comply with the new requirements. WHA will monitor information from both CMS and the State and provide more information when guidance is available.
If you have questions, contact Laura Leitch at 608-268-1823.
Hospitals, WHA, Honored for Contributions to Great American SmokeoutThey come from all walks of life and include entrepreneurs, politicians, pioneering organizations and determined individuals. Their common link is a dedication to smoke-free air. As the American Cancer Society looked back on 30 years of its Great American Smokeout, it paused to honor 30 Wisconsinites who have changed the way this state lives and breathes. Honorees from across the state were invited to a reception on November 16 at the Executive Residence to receive the Lynn R. Smith Award, named for the event’s founder.
Among the 30 organizations and individuals honored were: Wisconsin Hospital Association; SSM Healthcare of Wisconsin; Aurora Health Care; Dr. Tony Phillips, Appleton Medical Center; ProHealth Care; and Mayo Health System.
"WHA is honored to be recognized as a leader in working to improve the health of Wisconsin communities," said WHA President Steve Brenton. "It’s also noteworthy that hospital and health system organizations and leaders from across Wisconsin were honored at today’s award celebration. That’s a clear indication of our members’ ongoing commitment to live their missions by improving community health," Brenton added.
Chippewa Valley Hospitals, Clinics go Tobacco Free Campus-wide Nov. 16In a new community health collaboration, Tobacco Free for Health, major health care providers in the Chippewa Valley have agreed to implement a comprehensive tobacco-free policy for their campuses beginning on November 16, 2006. The date was chosen because it is the day of the Great American Smokeout.
Luther Midelfort, Marshfield Clinic, OakLeaf Medical Network, Sacred Heart Hospital, St. Joseph’s Hospital Chippewa Falls and UW Health Eau Claire Family Medicine Clinic are the health care providers taking part in Tobacco Free for Health. Although each health organization already has designated smoke-free areas, this new initiative expands the scope to include indoor and outdoor areas and will apply to employees, patients and visitors.
The initiative is being launched as a result of recommendations made in 2005 in coordination with the Tobacco Free Partnership of Eau Claire County. Plans were moving forward in Chippewa County at the same time. The health and economic burden of cigarette smoking reinforces the need for the tobacco free initiative in the Chippewa Valley region (Chippewa, Dunn and Eau Claire counties):
The new tobacco-free policy is intended to help create a healthier environment for everyone who works, receives care and visits or accompanies a family member in these hospitals and clinics. The decision was also influenced by consistent feedback from medical staff, employees and patients who believe a tobacco free campus will:
Tobacco Free for Health is not limited to health care. Chippewa Valley Technical College has been involved since tobacco free discussions began, in part through their close working relationship with area health care organizations. The Health Education Center campus in Eau Claire includes a dental clinic and the UW Health Eau Claire Family Medicine Clinic, and students in many health care fields complete course requirements within area health care organizations. The college is planning to participate in the initiative and is developing a policy for all campuses that will be effective when their summer session begins in June.
The following hospitals are tobacco free campus-wide:
Agnesian HealthCare/St. Agnes Hospital, Fond du Lac
All Saints-St. Mary’s Medical Center, Racine
Amery Regional Medical Center, Amery
Appleton Medical Center, Appleton
Aspirus Wausau Hospital, Wausau
Aurora BayCare Medical Center, Green Bay
Aurora Health Care Southern Lakes, Inc. d/b/a Mem. Hospital of Burlington, Burlington
Aurora Lakeland Medical Center, Elkhorn
Aurora Med. Ctr. of Manitowoc Co., Inc., Two Rivers
Aurora Med. Ctr. of Washington Co., Inc., Hartford
Aurora Medical Center, Oshkosh
Aurora Medical Center-Kenosha, Kenosha
Aurora Psychiatric Hospital, Inc., Wauwatosa
Aurora Sheboygan Memorial Medical Center, Sheboygan
Aurora Sinai Medical Center, Inc., Milwaukee
Baldwin Area Medical Center, Baldwin
Barron Medical Center—Mayo Health System, Barron
Beaver Dam Community Hospitals, Inc., Beaver Dam
Berlin Memorial Hospital, Berlin
Bond Health Center, Oconto
Boscobel Area Health Care, Boscobel
Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin-Fox Valley, Neenah
Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin-Kenosha, Kenosha
Columbia St. Mary’s, Inc. - Columbia Campus, Milwaukee
Columbia St. Mary’s, Inc. - Milwaukee Campus, Milwaukee
Columbia St. Mary’s, Inc. - Ozaukee Campus, Mequon
Columbia St. Mary’s/Sacred Heart Rehab. Institute, Milwaukee
Community Memorial Hospital, Menomonee Falls
Divine Savior Healthcare, Portage
Door County Memorial Hospital, Sturgeon Bay
Elmbrook Memorial Hospital, Brookfield
Flambeau Hospital, Park Falls
Grant Regional Health Center, Lancaster
Holy Family Memorial, Inc., Manitowoc
Hudson Hospital, Hudson
Kindred Hospital Milwaukee, Greenfield
Ladd Memorial Hospital, Osceola
Langlade Memorial Hospital, Antigo
Memorial Health Center, Medford
Mercy Health System Corporation, Janesville
Mercy Medical Center, Oshkosh
Mercy Walworth Hospital and Medical Center, Lake Geneva
Mile Bluff Medical Center, Mauston
New London Family Medical Center, New London
Orthopaedic Hospital of Wisconsin, Glendale
Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital, Prairie du Chien
Red Cedar Medical Center - Mayo Health System, Menomonie
Reedsburg Area Medical Center, Reedsburg
River Falls Area Hospital, River Falls
Riverside Medical Center, Waupaca
Riverview Hospital Association, Wisconsin Rapids
Sacred Heart-St. Mary’s Hospitals, Tomahawk
Sacred Heart-St. Mary’s Hospitals, Rhinelander
Saint Clare’s Hospital, Weston
Saint Michael’s Hospital, Stevens Point
Sauk Prairie Memorial Hospital, Prairie du Sac
Southwest Health Center, Platteville
St. Clare Hospital & Health Services, Baraboo
St. Elizabeth Hospital, Appleton
St. Francis Hospital, Milwaukee
St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Milwaukee
St. Mary’s Hospital, Madison
SynergyHealth St. Joseph’s Hospital, West Bend
The Wisconsin Heart Hospital, Wauwatosa
Theda Clark Medical Center, Neenah
Tri-County Memorial Hospital, Whitehall
Vernon Memorial Healthcare, Viroqua
Watertown Memorial Hospital, Watertown
Waupun Memorial Hospital, Waupun
West Allis Memorial Hospital, West Allis
Westfields Hospital, New Richmond
Hospital Construction Groups Meet with DHFS to Discuss Process ImprovementRepresentatives of health care facility managers, contractors, architects, engineers, the Wisconsin Health Engineers Association and WHA recently met with the Office of Quality Assurance (OQA) Director Otis Woods and his staff in the first meeting of the "Communication Enhancement Committee." The purpose of the Committee and its quarterly meetings with OQA is to "improve the quality of the health care environment through enhanced communication."
The Committee hopes to strengthen the working relationship among key members of the health care construction system. The participants in the first meeting were pleased with the discussions, with both sides of the table gaining a better understanding of the process and issues presented by that process.
"I believe this will be an exciting journey towards an improved community/DHFS relationship and process improvement of facility upgrade and expansion approval," said Mike Scherbel, Partner, Plunkett Raysich Architects, LLP, after a "great kickoff meeting."
The next meeting of the Committee is scheduled for early February 2007.
WHA Foundation Annual Fundraising Campaign UnderwayLaunched in late October, the WHA Foundation’s 2006 Annual Fundraising Campaign continues, raising approximately $18,000 within the first month of the campaign. The WHA Foundation’s Board of Directors has set a goal to raise $500,000 by the end of 2008.
Campaign contributions are used to fund a variety of workforce development and health care quality initiatives throughout the year. In 2007, the Foundation will fund its WHA Foundation Scholarship Program at the state’s 16 technical colleges, the Nurse Leadership Succession Project, the Global Vision Community Partnership Awards, and other statewide initiatives that support hospitals throughout Wisconsin.
Thank you to the organizations and individuals who have shown support for the Foundation and contributed or pledged early in the campaign. Additionally, the Foundation would like to recognize Columbia-St. Mary’s for their support as Champion Donors.
To make a contribution, or for more information about the WHA Foundation, contact Jennifer Frank at 608-274-1820 or
jfrank@wha.org.Columbia-St. Mary’s, Milwaukee
Contributions from Organizations
Amery Regional Medical Center, Amery
Flambeau Hospital, Park Falls
Hayward Area Memorial Hospital, Hayward
SSM Health Care of Wisconsin, Madison
St. Vincent Hospital, Green Bay
Wisconsin Hospital Association
Contributions from Individuals
Loren Anderson, Aurora Health Care, Southern Region
Steve Brenton, Wisconsin Hospital Association
Jennifer Frank, Wisconsin Hospital Association
Dan Hymans, Memorial Medical Center, Ashland
Tom Plantenberg, Friends of Froedtert
Kevin Stranberg, Memorial Medical Center, Ashland
As a step toward meeting one of WHA’s major strategic initiatives, WHA is offering a one-day seminar entitled "Hospital/Physician Business Relationships," on December 6. The day’s agenda will begin with a high-level examination of the current state of hospital/physician business relationships nationally, followed by a ground level presentation on state-of-the-art hospital/physician business partnership models.
Following lunch, attendees will focus on hospital-employed physicians and the future drivers of their compensation, including pay for performance, decreased reimbursement, physician workforce shortages, geographic and specialty mal-distribution, and changing physician lifestyle expectations. The day will wrap up with a peer panel discussion, giving insight into the various, and very different, business relationship models currently employed in Wisconsin.
The "Hospital/Physician Business Relationships" seminar will be held on December 6, 2006, from 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells. A brochure with registration form is included in this week’s packet and on the Web site at www.wha.org. Online registration is available.
Attendance at this event is limited only to WHA hospital executives and their chosen leadership team members, in an attempt to keep the setting intimate and the discussion open. We encourage all hospital executives to consider which of your leadership team members, including physicians, would also benefit from participation in this one-day seminar. A discounted team registration rate is available.
For content questions, contact Charles Shabino at cshabino@charter.net or Jennifer Frank at jfrank@wha.org or 608-274-1820. For registration questions, contact Sherry Rabuck at 608-274-1820 or email
srabuck@wha.org.Top of page
Community Benefits Stories From Our Hospitals: Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Celebrating every birth: mothers with HIV and their infants receive care, support
It starts with a simple idea: Celebrate every birth. When a mother has HIV, childbirth can become a stressful time for the hospital staff, birthing mother and infant alike. But with the help of nurses and social workers from the Wisconsin HIV Primary Care Support Network, based at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, the mother, infant, and hospital staff receive the support, education, and on-going assistance they need to ensure the health of mother and baby.
Network nurses and social workers travel the state to connect with pregnant women with HIV infection before the birth of their babies. The Network is careful to not duplicate services that women with HIV receive in their community; rather, their goal is to work with local obstetrical and HIV specialists to make sure they have the most up-to-date procedures, medications, and knowledge to care for both mom and baby to help prevent the baby from acquiring HIV infection during pregnancy, delivery, or after birth, through breast feeding.
There are sensitive confidentiality issues involved in caring for patients who have HIV infection and Network nurses and social workers help the hospital staff understand the privacy requirements associated with both mom and infant.
"In the past, patients with HIV have felt uneasy with their birthing experience, but with education and support, both the caregivers and patient are more comfortable with the birthing process," Cuene said. "Every birth deserves to be celebrated," she added.
After the baby is born, the Network links the baby and mother to resources to make sure that baby receive appropriate medications, testing, and access to all the services that are needed to keep the baby HIV-free. If the tests are negative for HIV after the baby is 18 months old, the Network can discharge them from the program. If the baby does acquire HIV, the Network will continue to work with the family and their local providers.
Connecting patients and providers with the resources they need for early identification, treatment and long-term support for patients with HIV is the Network’s goal. It receives almost $1,000,000 in Federal grants to serve children, youth, and women living with HIV throughout Wisconsin. Almost one third of the Network’s total budget comes directly from Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. Since 1994, the Network, has served women with HIV through 290 pregnancies. Outcomes are known for 249 pregnancies; of these pregnancies only 22 (8.8 percent) resulted in the birth of a baby born with HIV infection. In early 2006 Network staff reviewed outcomes of the Perinatal Program to develop strategies to further reduce perinatal HIV transmission and identified that during the first 6 years of caring for pregnant women (1994-1999) there were 11 babies born with HIV. Of these babies, 73 percent were born in the city of Milwaukee. During the next 6 years (2000-2005) there were 11 babies born with HIV; of these babies 64 percent were born outside the city of Milwaukee. Furthermore, in a study sponsored by the State AIDS/HIV Program the prenatal testing rate in the city of Milwaukee was found to be 88 percent while the prenatal HIV testing rate in women who resided outside of Milwaukee County was 63 percent. In the same study only 15.9 percent of Wisconsin counties reached the goal of 100 percent of women receiving an HIV test during pregnancy. Clearly, there is more work that needs to be done to reduce perinatal HIV transmission. The Network continues to collaborate with providers throughout Wisconsin, particularly those working in rural Wisconsin where the transmission rate is the highest, about the importance of testing all pregnant women for HIV infection.
HIV takes an emotional, physical, and economic toll on a family. It all starts with making sure that every pregnant woman has an HIV test. Every practitioner, every clinic, every hospital serving pregnant women, play an important role in preventing HIV transmission when they encourage women they serve to have an HIV test during pregnancy. Knowing a pregnant woman’s HIV status and following up carefully on that knowledge is truly a celebration of life!
Community Benefits Stories From Our Hospitals: Spooner Health System, SpoonerResidents of Washburn County and surrounding counties in northwest Wisconsin can find help for their smoking addiction at Spooner Health System. Since 1999, Ann Bergmann, Smoking Cessation Educator, at Spooner Health System has provided classes for those residents interested in "kicking the habit." Ms. Bergmann stated that she brings a great deal of "credibility" to the class, as she was a 2 ½ pack-a-day smoker prior to her quitting several years ago. She also has knowledge gained from training through the American Cancer Society, American Lung Association and UW-Wisconsin Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention. Many tools are available to help tobacco users quit. Because tobacco addiction has both a psychological and physical component, Ann says the best way for most people to quit is a combination of medicine (including nicotine-replacements products), plus smoking cessation classes, which teach how to change personal habits and provide the important group emotional support which is needed to help them succeed. According to the Minnesota Partnership for Action Against Tobacco, people who seek help from tobacco-cessation programs are seven times more likely to be successful than those who try to stop on their own.
Five weekly classes are offered twice each year. Sessions run from 1-1 1/2 hours in length. Telephone follow-up is also provided. A nominal fee of $20 is requested. No one is turned away due to inability to pay. When requested, one-to-one cessation help is also available. You will also find Ann and her "Quit Now" information at Spooner Health System’s Health Fair held each year in August and at the Mini-Health Fairs that the hospital offers to area industries. With the shortage of smoking cessation educators in northwest Wisconsin, Ms. Bergmann traveled weekly to Burnett County Government Center in Siren, Wisconsin to facilitate sessions for employees of Burnett County. Effective April 1, smoking became prohibited within Burnett County property buildings and vehicles.
Submit hospital community benefit stories to Mary Kay Grasmick, editor, mgrasmick@wha.org
or call 608-274-1820.