Cover Story

Igniting the spark for healthcare transformation
Wildfires in the nation’s healthcare system, from misaligned incentives to disparities in health outcomes and care access, have led to devastating consequences, says HFMA Chair Aaron Crane.
Features
The potential for improved outcomes is just one important reason to consider pursuing an acute care at home strategy. Even in the absence of payment, health systems may ultimately find pursuit of such a strategy beneficial.
To respond effectively to ongoing disruptions in the nursing workforce, which have been exacerbated by COVID-19, health system finance and nursing leaders need to come together to find a new financial, clinical and operational approach to improving performance.
The goal is to lure and keep qualified board members, who are becoming harder to find.
An HFMA-Strata survey found only 6% of hospitals characterize the effectiveness of their cost reduction programs as extremely effective. One commonality among the most successful programs? Formal, ongoing cost reduction processes.
Columns
HFMA National Chair Aaron Crane compares our healthcare system to an unmanaged forest and encourages healthcare finance professionals to act to bring about needed change and innovation.
A statement issued by the Biden administration on Feb. 28 proposed major reforms for the nation’s nursing homes but also has important implications for healthcare organizations of all types.
Leaders must be prepared to respond to critical situations. Looking to the example currently being set by Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Jill Geisler discusses what leaders need to know and do.
Healthcare leaders have an important opportunity today use the new regulations to drive value-based care throughout their organizations. But that doesn’t mean completely relinquishing their traditional revenue streams. To seize this opportunity, they should undertake a dual transformation that promotes more efficient operation of their traditional businesses, while nurturing and growing new businesses focused on population health and value.
Real estate and non-core assets can represent a significant — and often largely untapped — resource for health systems pursuing any number of financial or operational goals.
Edward M. Prunchunas, a 47-year HFMA member, shares his insights and observations about the transformation of the U.S. healthcare system over the years and what are the essential leadership components for achieving success as he prepares to retire as executive vice president of finance, treasurer and CFO of Cedars-Sinai Health System.
HFMA President and CEO Joe Fifer offers perspectives on solving the nurse staffing crisis.
Departments
Abby Birch, Grayson Johnston and Jacob Dalmas, three members of the first HFMA/Boise State Master’s in Population and Health Systems Management cohort, discuss their experiences in the program.
Hannah Weishalla talks about the Minnesota Chapter’s recent conference held at a business partner’s facility and shares tips for other chapters considering a similar collaboration.
Leslie Flake, James Siegel and Brett Tande have new CFO positions. Denise Tobin joins Cascade365, and Dan Moncher retires after 24 years at Firelands Health.
As published in hfm magazine, a monthly roundup of top news for healthcare finance professionals.
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