Confronting Reluctance to Seek a Strategic Partner in Health Care
By: Julian R. Head
(HFMA June 2015)
Asking the right questions can help independent hospitals face up to whether they need a strategic partner to address capital or other needs.
Independent hospitals serve a vital role in their communities. In many cases, they are the best or only provider in the area, and their commitment to high-quality health care continues to save countless lives. Over time, independent hospitals have faced many financial and operational challenges that have called these organizations’ future into question. They have survived because of strong leadership and commitment to their communities.
Despite the claims of some observers, the days of the independent hospital are not over. However, every independent hospital will face strong headwinds going forward. The coming challenges require the leaders of these organizations to ask and answer certain questions to determine their future course.