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Monday, March 8, 2004
Interested in learning more about the Ohio Award for Excellence? Want to hear from Ohio health care organizations that have achieved organizational excellence? The Ohio Award for Excellence’s Best Practices in Health Care seminar will offer these opportunities on Monday, April 5, at Aultman Hospital, Canton.
Information and registration materials for this seminar and other upcoming events are available online at www.oae.org. Early bird registration rates run until March 22.
A few volunteer slots are still open for anyone interested in participating as a session manager, moderating one session and working with speakers before the seminar. The registration fee is waived for those serving as session managers. Contact Ann Poston at aposton@bsa3.kent.edu or 330.672.1175 for more information. (Rosalie Weakland, rosaliew@ohanet.org)
Tuesday, March 9, 2004
The Ohio Medical Malpractice Commission called for immediate passage of legislation allowing for the creation of a medical liability underwriting association (MLUA), among other suggestions in its interim report discussed last week at a special meeting of the commission.
Charged with studying Ohio’s professional liability insurance crisis, the commission supports enactment of House Bill 282, sponsored by Rep. Larry Flowers (R -Canal Winchester), to give the Ohio Department of Insurance authority to revive the former Joint Underwriting Authority as the MLUA if the market further deteriorates.
The commission also recommended that insurers report closed claims information to the department, similar to a Florida law. Additionally, the interim report calls for legislation to create a medical review screening process and consideration of a patient compensation fund.
Opposing legislation introduced last week to impose a one-year freeze on liability insurance premiums (see separate story), some commission members and ODI Director Ann Womer Benjamin said the bill could undermine the stability of the already faltering Ohio market.
The full report is expected to be released this week. More information on the professional liability insurance crisis is available on OHA’s Web site at www.ohanet.org/med-mal/. (Bridget Gargan, bridgetg@ohanet.org; Rick Sites, ricks@ohanet.org)
Caps on Med Mal Premiums Pose Risks
Legislation introduced last week that would place a one-year halt on
increases in medical malpractice insurance premiums in Ohio and declare
the state’s professional liability crisis an emergency could risk
further damage to Ohio’s volatile market. Ohio Department of Insurance (ODI)
Director Ann Womer Benjamin and several members of the Ohio Medical
Malpractice Commission voiced concerns that such caps could force
insurers to stop writing policies in Ohio. OHA also opposes the
legislation, as it could undermine the stability of the fragile Ohio
market (see separate story).
Medical malpractice premiums in Ohio are already regulated by ODI through a review process to ensure rates are appropriately based upon recent claim expense and payout. OHA will continue to monitor Senate Bill 204, sponsored by Sen. Kirk Schuring (R-Canton), and report on the progress of the legislation. (Rick Sites, ricks@ohanet; Bridget Gargan, bridgetg@ohanet.org)
Wednesday,
March 10, 2004
Hospitals Avoid Immediate State Budget Cuts
Gov. Bob Taft this week issued an executive
order mandating budget cuts for the remainder of this fiscal year,
ending June 30, 2004, and next fiscal year, starting July 1, 2004. The
cuts include no immediate repercussions for hospitals, but contain $50
million in reductions for the state Medicaid program in FY 2005. The
governor has not given details on the Medicaid cuts, and OHA will
actively work with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services to
preserve eligibility and funding for hospitals and to develop a viable
Medicaid managed care initiative for the Aged, Blind and Disabled
population.
The governor’s cuts are an effort to offset a projected state budget deficit of $619.8 million for the biennium, with reductions in nearly every arena that does not require legislative approval. Most state agencies and many programs will feel the effects of the reduced funding, with the exception of primary job-creation programs, basic aid to primary and secondary education, higher education basic aid and student financial aid and the PASSPORT program’s in-home care for seniors.
Medicaid funding at the federal level may also be under fire, with U.S. Congress voting tonight on a resolution that could require reductions in federal Medicaid funding. OHA will continue to strongly advocate for the protection of hospital financial health, including adequate Medicaid funding, at the state and federal levels. (Bridget Gargan, bridgetg@ohanet.org)
Former Hospital Ally Dies
OHA lost a dear friend with the passing of Dorothy Langley, retired
Associate Director of Catholic Conference of Ohio, on Feb. 28. Langley
served on OHA’s Government Relations Committee for over 10 years.
Langley was a powerful lobbyist and friend to all Ohio hospitals and OHA
for more than 20 years during her career in health care.
Thursday,
March 11, 2004
Hospitals interested in obtaining funds to train and educate currently employed health care workers have until March 30 to apply for available grant money. OHA’s Research and Educational Foundation (REF) received a $1.2 million grant from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services to help Ohio hospitals work to overcome health care personnel shortages by training current employees in key shortage areas, such as registered and practical nursing, radiology technology, and medical transcription.
Interested hospitals can view information and application materials at www.ohanet.org/workforce/. Applications are due March 30 and recipients will be announced by April 30. Please contact Susan Zabo at 614.221.7614 or susanz@ohanet.org with additional questions.
National Magazine Seeking Top Leaders
HealthLeaders magazine will honor the teamwork of senior health care
leaders at hospitals and health plans through its HealthLeaders 2004
Top Leadership Teams in Healthcare recognition program. One leading
entry will be honored in each of three categories: large hospitals,
small hospitals and state/regional health plans. HealthLeaders is
looking to honor outstanding teamwork, share what makes top leadership
successful and encourage other health leaders to learn from the best
practices of top leadership teams. Nominations are due March 31. Find
more information and an entry form at
www.HealthLeaders.com/teamwork.
BWC Offers Education Sessions
The Ohio Bureau of Worker’s Compensation (BWC) will offer half-day
sessions to educate employers and others on attaining worker’s comp
success and savings. The Worker’s Compensation University sessions are
opening new branch campuses throughout Ohio. Following is the schedule
for this spring’s free courses:
April 7 Cambridge
April 13 Springfield
April 16 Chillicothe
April 20 Sandusky
April 23 Portsmouth
April 26 Lima
April 28 Marietta
May 4 Ashtabula
For more information or to register online, visit www.ohiobwc.com/.
Friday, March 12, 2004
CSR Program Changes Name
The program known as Continuous Survey Readiness (CSR) is changing its name to Continuous Service Readiness (CSR). Joint Commission Resources, a subsidiary of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, is revising the name to more closely reflect the focus of the CSR program-to provide support and services to enable continuous improvement regardless of an organization’s accreditation status or stage in the accreditation process. The name change does not impact any of the features or benefits of the program and the acronym CSR still applies. More information about the CSR program in Ohio is available at www.ohanet.org/csr/. (Rosalie Weakland, rosaliew@ohanet.org)
Hoop it Up With the Cleveland Cavs
The Cleveland Cavaliers invite Ohio health care workers to enjoy a night
of basketball action during one of two Health Care Appreciation Nights
in April. Hospital associates can purchase discounted tickets for the
April 3 game, Cavaliers vs. Warriors, or the April 12 game, Cavaliers
vs. Bucks, at Gund Arena in Cleveland. Lower level end tickets are $36
and second level center tickets are $32. Those interested should contact
Stephanie Bishop with the Cleveland Cavaliers at 216.420.2806 to request
order forms.