Specialty hospitals not the problem
Although the article “And Now, Four-Star Hospitals” [March 13] provides a balanced view of specialty hospitals’ benefits, the concerns regarding alleged harm from specialty hospitals are not well-founded.
There is no evidence of any general hospital closing because of competition from a specialty hospital. A Medicare Payment Advisory Commission study found any financial harm suffered by general hospitals from specialty hospitals was temporary, and that specialty hospitals’ competition actually forced general hospitals to do a better job. A Health and Human Services study found quality was consistently high at specialty hospitals, and that mortality rates were lower than at general hospitals. The study also found high satisfaction among patients at specialty hospitals, and that specialty hospitals actually provided more benefits to the community than general hospitals by paying local, state and federal taxes.
Clearly, attempts to eliminate these innovative facilities are not the answer for what “ails” healthcare in America.
WILLIAM A. MAY
Chief operating officer
Black Hills Surgery Center
Rapid City, S.D.
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