Ingram's | March 2003 - Industry Outlook

In a small miracle of timing, Ingram's Healthcare Industry Outlook was just about to wrap up when the assembled group was forced to flee the Mid-America Brain and Stroke Institute because of a small fire on a lower floor of the building.

The fire provided a memorable conclusion to an equally memorable meeting. The Healthcare Industry Outlook assembly yielded some truly provocative insights into the condition of Kansas City healthcare.

Chairing the event were Rich Hastings of Saint Luke's and Tom Bowser of Blue Cross Blue Shield. Nearly 30 healthcare professionals representing some of the most relevant organizations from all over the metropolitan area participated. For simplicity sake, we have omitted the "Dr." designation from the participants who bear it.

The HCA Factor

Although there was much candid talk about the challenges the industry faces, the overall mood was forward looking and good spirited. Rich Hastings set the tone for the meeting when he noted that he and Saint Luke's were "going through the biggest change in my career here." What makes for this change is the fact, as Hastings noted, is that for the first time in the history, the majority of care will be managed from outside this city. Hastings was referring here specifically to the effect of HCA's entry into the market.

"I don't know whether it's good or bad," said Hastings of HCA's imminent takeover of Health Midwest. "It's just not going to be local as much anymore." As Hastings related, the local health entities have grown used to competing with one another. "We know each other's tendencies." HCA's entry, however, adds an entirely new dimension.