Standing on the Precipice of Change...A Message from Dr. Bruce Siegel - October 19, 2010

With the passage of the historic health reform legislation early this year, America’s health care system began a long overdue journey of change. I am honored to join NAPH as your new Chief Executive Officer at this very transformative time in our nation.

Without change, there is no progress. Rumors here in Washington indicate that health reform could be dismantled before it is implemented, and no one knows what the future holds. But regardless of what happens in the weeks ahead I plan to be fighting for you – both before Congress and the Administration. Your patients and the communities that you serve deserve nothing less. NAPH members are beacons for change, and as such I believe stand ready to fight the good fight with me. Historically, NAPH and its members have always stood behind expanding coverage to the millions of uninsured Americans, so now is not the time to move backwards.

One of the primary goals the health care reform legislation seeks to achieve is to improve the quality of care for everyone – and NAPH members know best how to care for those most vulnerable in our society. The Affordable Care Act is projected to provide coverage to 32 million people who would otherwise lack coverage in 2014. However, more than 20 million people are projected to continue to lack coverage—undocumented immigrants, the homeless and the mentally ill—many of whom will be seen at your doors and, as always, you will treat them regardless of their ability to pay. Moreover, even after the coverage expansion, there will be an ongoing need for essential community-wide services including clinics, trauma centers, burn care, mental health services and public health facilities. Many of you are already leaders in the delivery of integrated and coordinated care – with lessons to teach the nation about what the delivery system of the future should be. I know you are the backbone of your community, and I will work every day to ensure that the safety net is adequately reimbursed for all of the essential community services you provide each day.

Safety net health systems have always worked to fill the gaps in our nation’s complicated health care system – and I look forward to working with each of you to find the solutions that improve patient care and build robust healthy communities.