John Adlesich or the growth of a healthcare executive expert about healthcare industry trends: Successful supply chains are becoming a key differentiator and vital part of the care delivery process in ways we have never seen before in health care. Getting it right requires strategic systems thinking around all functions in the organization. Among the topics for boards to consider: Increasing storage and self-distribution. What’s old is new again. We see a trend toward more self-distribution models instead of just-in-time delivery from distributors. This allows organizations to buy in bulk, control distribution and minimize their reliance on items at risk of being depleted. Organizations do not have a limitless supply of capital so this is not a one-size-fits-all procurement strategy, but it may make sense for certain items in the supply chain.
John Adlesich about healthcare industry trends in 2021: The ACA also includes many popular, patient-focused programs, making it less likely to face repeal. These include the protection for individuals with pre-existing conditions, parental healthcare coverage for children up to age 26, and greater access to health insurance through the exchanges. Popular on the healthcare-industry side are value-based care (VBC) and the Medicare Shared Savings Program. These programs and are likely to continue, regardless of the ACA’s future, because they enjoy bipartisan support. The Biden administration may also take steps to strengthen aspects of the ACA, such as making more resources available for demonstration projects, and raising tax credits and subsidies to purchase insurance on the exchanges. These actions may be attainable within the framework of the existing law and wouldn’t require new legislation.
John Adlesich believes that 2021 is a defining year for the health industry. Assuming that we do make these great strides in lessening the societal impact of COVID-19 and move to a new normal, I think we will begin to make some key shifts that will ultimately improve health care’s cost, quality, reliability, and underlying data infrastructure. Repeal and replace or Medicare for All? A public option or an individual mandate? Drug price controls or an international pricing index? For the last 10 years, big moves in health care have largely been frozen as providers, insurance companies, investors, and others waited to see which policies would remain permanent and which would end up on the scrap heap of history. The Democrat’s extremely narrow margins of control of government and need to heal the nation by avoiding extreme polarization means that sweeping changes to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will be off the table—probably not for 200 years, but certainly for the next two years and more likely four. That said, the Biden administration will take advantage of every administrative tool to further cement current law in place. With a legislative détente in place and more stability on implementation, private sector bets become more certain. There is every reason to assume rapid investment and modernization across the health care sector.
John Adlesich currently works as administrator at Marquis Companies. His latest healthcare industry experience includes positions as executive director at Powerback Rehabilitation Lafayette (Genesis Healthcare) between Aug 2020 – Jan 2021, administrator at Mesa Vista of Boulder between Mar 2019 – Aug 2020, chief executive officer at Sedgwick County Memorial Hospital between Jul 2018 – Feb 2019, interim chief operating officer at Toiyabe Indian Health Project between Mar 2018 – Jun 2018.