2011 Report to the Community - Allina Health

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UNITED UNITED HOSPITAL FOUNDATION |
Prevention Moves to the Forefront
in New Health Care Environment
the federal health Reform legislation passed in 2010 is filled with new benefits, rules, penalties and
projects spread throughout 10 years. While some elements in the reform law are now in place, many
provisions go into effect gradually throughout the next several years.
Many patients and community members have asked questions about how the new law affects them.
Below are some of the major highlights:
• Coverage will expand to 32 million individuals by 2019 through public program expansions, an
individual mandate, an employer mandate and other private sector health insurance reforms.
• health insurance exchanges will be formed in each state by 2014 where individuals and small
businesses can purchase market-based health coverage.
• Cost savings will be achieved through reduced reimbursement rates to health care providers and
payment reforms to help pay for the coverage expansions.
• insurance industry regulation includes a requirement for plans to offer an essential benefits
package, provide dependent coverage for children up to age 26, prohibit lifetime limits and
prohibit pre-existing condition exclusions.
Hospitals to incorporate more prevention efforts
the legislation has resulted in a changed state of health care in which hospitals are paid more on
how effectively they help patients avoid hospital stays and emergency visits rather than on the
number of services provided. in response, hospitals are being asked to re-examine their role in
helping patients maintain overall health and well-being outside the hospital setting. innovative
approaches focused on preventive efforts, especially those related to chronic conditions, will need to
be developed to help decrease a person’s need for hospitalization. these efforts will also require that
patients take even more responsibility for their health.
Community engagement plays a vital role in prevention and wellness
the community engagement work of allina hospitals & Clinics plays an important, supportive
role for hospitals as health care reform moves further along. the overarching goals and objectives of
allina’s community engagement strategy include improving the health of the communities we serve
and developing a culture and reputation as a compassionate, trusted community partner. through
allina’s new volunteerism and charitable contributions program, united supports local, healthrelated
nonprofit organizations to optimize the health of our communities.
allina and united are also working with community-based nonprofit organizations and health
experts at the state and local levels to develop and support community health improvement
programs. such efforts include the six-week wellness program power by the hour developed to
help kids take steps toward healthy living. sponsored by allina and in partnership with regional
schools and community groups, the power by the hour curriculum offers nutrition and exercise
fundamentals to children in grades K–6. the message is that the choices we make every day affect
our physical and mental well-being. You can learn more about power by the house at Childhood
obesity prevention section of allina.com/community.