"Trend Points" includes member survey results on predictions

This fall the Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) published a report examining what the future might hold for health care in Minnesota. The 57-page "Trend Points" was sent to members last month.

Written by Lake Oswego, Ore.-based health care consultant Larry Walker, the study includes MHA members' ratings on the likelihood of various predictions for health care in Minnesota by 2012. In addition, MHA surveyed members in June/July 2009 about what they think the future might hold for health care in Minnesota during the next five years. Many agreed that, for example:

• federal and state health regulation will increase with health care reform;
• reform will only be successful by addressing the underlying issues of health care costs and delivery;
• reimbursement will not improve as a percentage of cost; and
• work-force shortages will be an increasing challenge for hospitals due to new requirements and increasing demands for care.

Trend Points also includes June 2009 statistics from the Kaiser Family Foundation's statehealthfacts.org on Minnesota's:

• demographics;
• economy;
• health status;
• health costs and budgets;
• health coverage and the uninsured;
• Medicare;
• Medicaid; and
• providers and service use.

Access the document here: [PDF].