New PinnacleHealth president describes his healthcare vision

Wednesday, 20 July 2011 15:49

New PinnacleHealth president describes his healthcare vision

Written by Scott LaMar, Director of Radio Smart Talk

Radio Smart Talk for Thursday, July 21:

The future of healthcare is one of the biggest concerns of Americans today. Healthcare costs have been rising for years, millions don't have health insurance and there's still confusion over a new healthcare overhaul law that is being implemented over the next few years. On the other hand, hospitals are often among the most reliable contributors to their communities -- anchor institutions that give back -- and healthcare is one of the few areas of the economy where there are jobs.

One of Central Pennsylvania's leading non-profit citizens is Pinnacle Health. Pinnacle Health operates three hospitals with a total of about 600 beds.

Pinnacle Health also has a new President and CEO. He is Michael Young, who is no stranger to the mid-state, having served as CEO at Lancaster General Health up until seven years ago.

On Thursday's program, we'll discuss Young's vision for healthcare in the region.

LISTEN TO PROGRAM:

Published in Smart Talk

Tagged under

Radio

comments

# pam 2011-07-21 09:39

I stopped listening when he said he smokes. How can you head a hospital and have any credibility when you smoke? Pinnacle should find someone else more qualified - Pronto!

Reply | Reply with quote | Quote | Report to administrator

# Rachel 2011-07-21 10:19

Pam, Everyone has their vices and if someone chooses to smoke it doesn't affect their intellect or qualifications. I agree that I think it's a bad choice to smoke, especially when you're heading up hospitals, but I don't think it makes him a bad choice.

Reply | Reply with quote | Quote | Report to administrator

# Robin 2011-07-21 09:50

I'm a Shop Steward, In light of the coming federal health care changes, with our next contract should we emphasize less compenation for healthcare and more in our pocket? Keeping it in our pockets to cover the resultant increase in taxes to pay the feds?
Furthermore how much less administration coists could be acheived with a more single payer system?

Reply | Reply with quote | Quote | Report to administrator

# Jeremy 2011-07-21 12:25

Oh boy, the good doctor smokes a cigar on the porch with his folks while shooting the breeze. Get the pitch forks and light the fires! There are much more pressing issues at hand with respect to health care than whether or not the CEO of a health organization enjoys cigars. I understand the notion of leading by example, but, "come on maam."

Reply | Reply with quote | Quote | Report to administrator

# anonymous 2011-07-21 14:01

To say more testing is better than less testing is short sighted.

More testing leads to additional costs, more procedures, additional risks, and more worry. What we need in data to support the medical treatments we provide.

We need more collaboration.

Reply | Reply with quote | Quote | Report to administrator

# Scott Paist M.D. 2011-07-21 14:02

1. Pap smears are NOT intended to find uterine cancer. The recommendation to obtain a pap smear every three years (once a woman has had normal smears for three consecutive years) is based on excellent science and NOT intended to save money. The earlier caller’s statement that one should get a pap smear “every six months” is simply wrong.

2. Mr. Young stated that Medicare “went up 3.5% every year for ten years.” That is an outrageous 35% increase in revenue during a time that overall inflation ran less than 1% a year. Thus, Mr. Young’s statement that, “when 65% of your payer base is frozen, the other 35% has to pay more” doesn’t add up. Why have hospital costs consistently gone up MUCH faster than inflation?

S. Scott Paist, M.D.

P.S. Hi, Mike. Good to have you back.

Reply | Reply with quote | Quote | Report to administrator

# Jennifer R.N. 2011-07-21 14:03

The caller who said she got uterine cancer because she hadn't got PAP smear in several years-she is unfortunately misinformed. PAPs screen for cervical cancer, there unfortunately isn't a good screening tool for uterine cancer. I wanted to correct this misperception.

Reply | Reply with quote | Quote | Report to administrator

# Shawn 2011-07-21 14:03

I'd like freedom of choice to use what medications I want whether, homeopathic or pharmaceutical - let my Doctor & I decide what is best for my body. If the Government provides socialized medicine they will tell you what you can & cannot do with your person...the caveat of socialized services. Control.

Reply | Reply with quote | Quote | Report to administrator

# Brian 2011-07-21 14:06

I would love to see Healthcare become a socialized service as it is almost everywhere else in the World.

Reply | Reply with quote | Quote | Report to administrator

Refresh comments list
RSS feed for comments to this post