Although we support the elimination of the 27.4% proposed Medicare cuts to physicians, it should not be done at the expense of hospitals that provide billions of dollars in Medicare, Medicaid and charity care services to millions of Americans in need of health care services. In addition, these cuts would eliminate over 83,000 jobs nationally in the health care field at a time our economy needs to increase jobs and not eliminate them.

Hospitals have already agreed to $155 billion in cuts over the next 10 years resulting from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. We also face reductions on January 1, 2013 from sequestration due to no agreement by the super committee. Additionally, CMS inappropriately cut $16.8 billion from changes in coding and documentation. We also have absorbed significant Medicaid reductions over the past 18 months.

There are many options to offset these cuts as listed below:

• Modernizing cost sharing for Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE
• Increasing the eligibility age for Medicare to 67
• Increasing the FICA tax to support Medicare Part A spending
• Improving programs to improve care at the end of life
• Increasing use of generic drugs and biologicals
• Medical liability reform
• Taxing Cadillac health plans
• Taxing junk food and sugary drinks

We applaud your efforts to balance our federal budget, but please do not do so at the expense of our hospitals that have already contributed our fair share and want to work collaboratively to be part of the budget deficit solution.

“We’re looking forward to Drew’s appearance at this year’s Luncheon,” said Kristin Jenkins, president of the DFWHC Foundation. “He’s such a great local celebrity who understands the importance of hard work, dedication and sacrifice. We believe his inspirational message will benefit the noted healthcare employees in attendance.”

Pearson was selected as a free agent wide receiver by the Dallas Cowboys in 1973. He was a part of one of the most famous catches in NFL history when he grabbed the “Hail Mary” reception from Roger Staubach sealing a 17-14 victory in the 1975 playoffs versus the Minnesota Vikings. Pearson had a total of 489 receptions and 50 touchdowns in a career spanning 1973-1983. He was an All-Pro three times and named to the NFL 1970’s All-Decade Team. In 2011, Pearson was inducted into the Dallas Cowboys’ Ring of Honor. 

For Nominations Click Here: Nominee Forms

For Executive Sponsorship Information Click Here: Executive Sponsorship Packet

For Hospital Sponsorship Information Click Here: Hospital Sponsorship Packet

 For event questions please email Chris Wilson.

Last year, 10 recipients and 50 exceptional nominees were honored. The Luncheon serves to boost morale within the healthcare community and offers employees a chance to be recognized for their tireless and dedicated efforts. Winners, in the tradition of an awards extravaganza, are announced at the luncheon and asked to come to the stage.

Nominee forms are now available, with a submission deadline of March 16. Nominees are separated into four categories including hospitals between 0-99 beds, hospitals between 100-250 beds, hospitals between 251-499 beds and hospitals with more than 500 beds. Two recipients are selected from each category and receive cash awards. Additional awards include the Community Service Award, the Physician of the Year Award and the System Corporate Employee Award. Sponsorship packages are also available to hospitals and associate members. To obtain a nominee form, please contact Chris Wilson at chrisw@dfwhc.org. For sponsorship information, please contact Kristin Alexander at kalexander@dfwhc.org.

Please Click to Open: Nominee Form

What will happen in February? We hope the appointed conferees and other congressional leaders realize that hospitals have stepped forward with $155 billion in expense reductions (already agreed to cuts). However, during the December negotiations, some suggested the following:

• Reductions in payments to hospitals for assistance to low-income Medicare beneficiaries (bad debt).  This is a repeat of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 when Medicare bad debt was targeted for significant reductions. In the Benefits and Protection Act of 2000, Congress restored and increased the reimbursement for Medicare bad debts when the negative consequences of cutting payments to the poor and most vulnerable beneficiaries became evident.
• Reductions in payments for Evaluation and Management (E/M) services provided in hospital outpatient departments.
• Extending the current cap on therapy services.
• Provide the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) new authority to make additional across-the-board cuts to Medicare inpatient hospital rates through the use of retrospective coding adjustments for fiscal years 2010, 2011 and 2012.
• Reduction in Graduate Medical Education (GME) Payments to teaching hospitals.

These are serious, critical issues and may well be on the table during February deliberations.  Since this is an election year, this February discussion may be the only time legislators will address Medicare issues. We need our legislative leaders to take a “leap of faith” during this leap year and work cooperatively, collaboratively and constructively to address our budget shortfalls without reducing hospital Medicare reimbursement further.  The $155 billion in commitments is certainly enough. We have contributed our fair share.

“The support of our hospital leaders has allowed DFWHC to update and redesign its website to meet today’s rapidly changing communication needs,” said W. Stephen Love, DFWHC president and chief executive officer. “This new website is a result of our members’ dependable support. Our website is prepared to facilitate collaboration while working towards promoting patient safety and cost effective, quality healthcare in our region.”

DFWHC is a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit trade organization governed by an 12-member Board of Trustees that consists of hospital chief executive officers or chief operating officers elected annually by voting members. The new website and marketing effort is the result of research detailing the need to create Internet awareness for DFWHC. Inherent in the new website is the message that DFWHC will be recognized as the principal healthcare resource for advocacy, communications and education relating to hospitals in North Texas.

The site’s homepage welcomes visitors with bold colors of blue and silver, a clean uncluttered design and moving images supporting the DFWHC’s mission. A blog and electronic hospital map are also featured, with an electronic membership directory and highlight video to be introduced over the coming months.

“The purpose of the new website and blog and is to encourage regional communication about health care ideas and opinions,” Love said. “We hope our healthcare friends will utilize this new communication tool while learning about our mission and goals. In addition, this is an opportunity to welcome new members and business partners from across North Texas.”

The DFWHC will continue to establish an evolving web presence using the latest in technology and communication trends. Organizations interested in more information can contact the DFWHC directly at (972) 719-4900.

• Chair Jay Fox, Baylor Medical Center at Waxahachie
• Past Chair Stan Morton, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton
• Trustee Eric Evans, Lake Pointe Medical Center
• Trustee Brett McClung, Texas Health Harris Methodist Southwest Fort Worth Hospital
• Trustee, Dr. Jay Shannon, Parkland Health & Hospital System
• Trustee, Robert Earley, JPS Health Network
• Trustee, Rick Merrill, Cook Children’s Health Care System
• Trustee, Jonathan Davis, Methodist Charlton Medical Center
• Trustee, Daniela Decell, Las Colinas Medical Center
• Trustee, Caleb O’Rear, Denton Regional Medical Center
• Trustee, Tom Trenary, Baylor Medical Center at Garland
• Trustee, Robert Walker, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children

Completing their term on the DFWHC Board are Steve Newton, Baylor All Saints Medical Center Fort Worth and Patrick Wallace, East Texas Medical Center Athens. New DFWHC Board Members include Trenary and Walker.

“We’re pleased and excited about our Board of Trustees for 2012,” said W. Stephen Love, president and chief executive officer of DFWHC. “This Board represents an impressive blend of talent covering a large area of North Texas. Their healthcare experience and dedication will serve this region well. We want to thank Steve and Pat for their dedicated service. We also thank Stan Morton for his leadership in 2011 and look forward to Jay Fox guiding our strategic initiatives in 2012.”

DFWHC is a 75-member organization with more than 40 years of service to the North Texas healthcare community. Governed by a 14-member Board of Trustees made up of hospital executive officers, the hospital trade association is committed to the continuous improvement of patient care.

Thank you for visiting our new website and we appreciate your collaboration and support.

Drew Pearson

Drew Pearson is a sportscaster and former star wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys. He was selected as a free agent by the Cowboys in 1973 where he rose to become one of the team’s greatest wide receivers, earning the nickname “Mr. Clutch” for his numerous game-winning catches in close games.

Pearson was a part of one of the most famous catches in NFL history when he grabbed the “Hail Mary” reception from Roger Staubach that sealed a 17-14 victory in a 1975 playoff game versus the Minnesota Vikings. He caught the game-winning touchdown in a hotly-contested 1973 playoff game versus the Los Angeles Rams and the game-winning touchdown from reserve quarterback Clint Longley in the 1974 Thanksgiving game against the Washington Redskins. All three plays were named among the Top 75 plays in NFL history in 1994.

Pearson had a total of 489 receptions, 7,822 receiving yards and 50 touchdowns in a career spanning 1973-1983 exclusively with the Cowboys. He was named an All-Pro three times and was named to the NFL’s 1970s All-Decade Team. In 2011, Pearson was inducted into the Dallas Cowboys’ exclusive Ring of Honor.