How Bad Is It for Hospitals?

It must be pretty bad for some, especially when they have to pull out of the American Hospital Association to save on dues:

"The University of Chicago Medical Center has pulled its membership from the American Hospital Association, the nation's largest hospital trade group and lobby.

AHA spokesman Rick Wade confirmed the U. of C. move, "citing financial considerations." He wouldn't say how much the medical center was paying in annual dues."

If other hospitals follow suit, what will happen to the lobby's effectiveness on the Hill during "reform" talks?

-Wes

It's Official: University of Chicago Joins With ENH

Evanston Northwestern Healthcare (ENH) and University of Chicago will join hands to train U of Chicago medical students.

For the Northwestern University medical students we currently train, the feelings are mixed. Perhaps this is fear of the unknown. Perhaps the feelings are justified. I spoke with a third-year medical student who felt that the ripple effect has already taken hold and worries that their training will be viewed differently when they apply for jobs. What is clear, is how vulnerable they feel during the upcoming transition period and the uncertainty of their continued training.

For faculty members here at ENH, too, many questions remain: what will be the new name of ENH? (Expect an announcement soon, now that ENH can move on.) What benefits for faculty members will convey from the former Northwestern affilitation agreement to the new affiliation agreement with U of Chicago? Who will keep their academic appointments and who will lose them?

One thing's for sure: there'll be lots of changes. Let's hope they're for the better.

-Wes