Opportunities for the Convenient Care Industry in 2007
As of January 2007, there are approximately 280 Convenient Care Clinics (CCCs) located in communities throughout the country. The Convenient Care Association predicts that there will be 400-500 CCCs open by December 2007. So, what does the future hold for the Convenient Care industry in 2007, aside from continued growth?
First, the Convenient Care Association is working to convene a Clinical Advisory Board comprised of high-level clinical staff, representatives from national health care provider associations, and Convenient Care industry supporters. In 2007, this board will draft and disseminate standards that Convenient Care Clinics throughout the country will use to ensure high quality of care.
Also, 2007 will likely be remembered as the year when Convenient Care Clinics became part of mainstream health care policy discourse in America. Even though 2007 is only a month old, the Convenient Care Industry has already seen itself become part of the great American health care debate.
Following in the footsteps of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Mitt Romney, the Governor of Pennsylvania, Ed Rendell, recently released his signature “Prescription for Pennsylvania” plan to reform health care in that state. The plan made national headlines, and was noted as the first state heath care reform plan that included Convenient Care Clinics as part of the solution to health care cost and access problems. Rendell even held a press conference in support of his plan at a Take Care Health Systems clinic in Pittsburgh.
While Pennsylvania is one of the first state governments to embrace the Convenient Care model of health care, we doubt that it will be the last. Policymakers have begun to recognize that Convenient Care Clinics reduce expensive and unnecessary emergency room use, and serve as an entry point into the health care system for people who are uninsured or who do not have a primary care provider. As more policymakers race to come out with their own signature health care reform plans, our goal is to make sure that they understand the benefits of the Convenient Care model of health care.
The Convenient Care industry is working collaboratively with other stakeholders in the health care delivery system to increase access to affordable, basic health care. In 2007, we expect that policymakers will discover that the Convenient Care model is one of the rare situations where visionary health care policy and visionary business converge.
Ann Ritter is the Policy Director for the Convenient Care Association.
Discussion
No comments for “Opportunities for the Convenient Care Industry in 2007”
Post a comment