Ronald Bryant, president and chief executive officer at Noble Hospital, presented a PowerPoint presentation at the Transforming the Heathcare System in Western Massachusetts symposium at Westfield State University last night. The symposium was sponsored by Noble Hospital and the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
WESTFIELD – A symposium on transforming the healthcare system in western Massachusetts last night featured a panel of local health experts.
Presented by the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce, the event took place at Westfield State University and was sponsored by Noble Hospital. Speakers included Noble Hospital President and CEO Ronald Bryant, Massachusetts Hospital Association President Lynn Nicholas, Chief Operating Officer and incoming Chief Executive Oficer of Health New England Maura C. McCaffrey, and Jean Yang, the executive director of the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority.
Visitors at Westfield State University listen to a free heath care symposium sponsored by Noble Hospital and the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce. The event was free and open to the public. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
The event drew about 100 people, including health professionals and local employers.
McCaffrey spoke about how the region is transforming its healthcare.
“We’re really looking at taking care of a population of people’s health and wellness,” said McCaffrey. “Everything now is based on fees for service. We have started using a global budget and taking a team approach to care.”
McCaffrey said this model – called Patient Centered Medical Home – brings together all the people involved in a person’s care and coming up with an upfront cost for the required services. In addition to reaping overall savings, this approach provides better care for the patient.
Jean Yang, left, executive director, Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority, Maura C. McCaffrey, center, chief operating officer and incoming chief executive officer, Health New England, and Lynn Nicholas, right, president, Massachusetts Hospital Association, all speakers at the Transforming the Healthcare System in Western Massachusetts symposium at Westfield State University, listen to a PowerPoint presentation by Ronald Bryant, not shown, president and chief executive officer, Noble Hospital. The event was sponsored by Noble Hospital and the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
McCaffrey used the example of a person needing a hip replacement.Those involved in the care of that patient, from the surgeon to the skilled nursing facility needed for rehab, would get together with the patient to go over the care. Then, if a patient had questions after the meeting, they could go to a care manager who has been involved from the beginning. McCaffrey said all involved in the care of that patient would be working together. This, she said, would mean no more duplicate tests for bloodwork, etc., which would mean cost savings overall for insurance companies and patients.
“We have already started this and patients say, for reasons they can’t put their finger on, that their experience is just better,” said McCaffrey.
Nicholas spoke about the recent history of the transformation and outlined some of the legislation that has made Massachusetts a leader in healthcare. She said the Affordable Care Act – nicknamed ObamaCare – is not unlike what the Commonwealth has already put into place.
“With all the changes coming with the Affordable Care Act, it’s more reason for us to come together,” she said.
Yeng said Massachusetts already has 97 percent of its residents covered by some form of health care. The Affordable Care Act should help the state come closer to closing the gap on the remaining three percent because some people not eligible for Mass Health would be eligible for “ObamaCare.”
Yeng also said Massachusetts is leaps and bounds above the rest of the country and she was happy to see the commonwealth moving forward and local communities, hospitals, insurance providers and care givers coming together.
“I’m very proud of the work being done and I’m thankful for the collaborators here,” said Yeng.
Bryant gave the audience on overview of Noble Hospital and recent improvements, including a permanent MRI, urology department, and Noble Express Care. He also said the hospital saw a profit the past two years for the first time in many years.
Bryant also touted the hospital’s economic impact to the region, which is $164 million.
