Specialty Hospitals and Community Hospitals - A Case Study

Specialty Hospitals and Community Hospitals - A Case Study

Introduction

The research paper aims at evaluating the recommended case study in order to analyze the great debate on Specialty vs. Community hospital services. In the light of scholarly journals and peer reviewed articles, the paper provides answers to the discussion questions. Finally, the paper draws an overall understanding of the so far progress achieved in the US health services and proposed improvement plans.

Discussion

The Great Debate of Specialty vs. Community

In the light of the case study, moratorium of specialty hospitals was ended with the launch of MedPAC report on specialty hospitals, in 2006. On inquiry, it was found that physician owned specialty hospitals were at inequitable advantage, which was negatively affecting the performance and existence of community hospitals. The self-referral system was also creating complexities and distortion in the health service performance of the two kinds of hospitals (McLaughlin & McLaughlin, 2009).

By mid 2006, CMS decided to implement a strategic plan, which will emphasize on an equitable market competition between specialty and community hospitals. The decision was set in consent with the approach to dampen the establishment of new specialty hospitals. However, different opinions and views were raised in concern with the discouraging phenomenon of specialty hospitals because little variance was observed on the utilization or quality of health care services. There was lobbying in support of specialty hospitals and their critical role in improving the health care quality (McLaughlin & McLaughlin, 2009).

Finally, the CMS submitted a final report to Congress on August, 2006. CMS reported affirmative response to new enrollments and applications for specialty hospitals; however, it was in an irresolute position regarding the moratorium extension. The CMS was confident to minimize the effect of unfair incentive available to physician owners by deploying three years reformed mechanism for inpatient DRGs (Tynan et. al., 2009).

Objective Conclusion

A look at the proposed legislative requirements to be complied by specialty hospitals may provide an objective conclusion to the debate and the CMS report. As per the case, since mid 2006, specialty hospitals are required to admit and accept the case of emergency under the US Act of Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor. It may create a fair line of operation between community and specialty hospital services. Moreover, requisite to regularly document and disclose ownership information and physician investments to CMS has helped to counter off the claim of specialty ...