Hospital mergers just cost us money | Letters to the Editor
Hospital mergers just cost us money
Once again, we read a headline about a hospital merger. This time it is Henry Ford and Ascension. ("Henry Ford, Ascension to combine in $10.5-billion Michigan health care system," Detroit Free Press, Oct. 18.)
Last year it was University of Michigan-Sparrow, Beaumont-Spectrum, Henry Ford-Michigan State University. In health care, this isn't new. The PR statements are similar. This one says: “... we can improve the consumer experience, improve care coordination, and provide superior value,” i.e., better outcomes, lower costs. But here's the rub: That rarely happens.
When hospitals merge, it seems like the name on the building changes, and prices go up.
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission studied this and concluded evidence suggests that "hospital consolidation leads to higher prices.”
One analysis of 25 metro areas with consolidation over a three-year period had increases in cost ranging from 11% to 54%.
We must look at these announcements with scrutiny. The past is a pretty darn good predictor of the future.
We should ask for specifics that the merged entity will bring that improves value and reduces costs before the mergers get approved. The increase in our insurance premiums should do more than pay for the change of the sign on the corner.
Bobby Mukkamala
Flint
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Elected officials, take note of constituents' feelings on Israel-Hamas conflict
There is a growing coalition calling for a cease-fire now, humanitarian aid and genuine peace talks based on justice in order to end the 75-year Palestinian-Israeli conflict. They include progressive Jews, Arabs, Palestinians, Muslims, Christians, Atheists, independents and more — tens of thousands of whom marched on Washington, D.C. on Nov. 4 to deliver the message directly to the White House. Most are tired of the lip service “we support a two-state solution” and “we’re doing all we can to prevent civilian casualties” while voting against United Nations resolutions to do those exact things.
As thousands rallied in Detroit recently, the prominent chant was “Biden, Biden, you can’t hide, we charge you with genocide!” Promised a seat at the table, many felt used and stated they will not vote for Biden in 2024. They are disgusted at the hateful rhetoric coming from politicians and the mainstream media, rhetoric thatauthorities believecontributed to the death of a 6-year-old Palestinian American boy, stabbed 26 times by his family’s landlord.
Arab Americans and allies also chanted “We see you! We see you!” directed at Michigan elected officials who have either remained silent or have expressed one-sided support for Israel as their ethnic cleansing of Palestinians continues. Some officials were even seen on a viral video attending a rally where they danced in support of Israel. Considering the tremendous community pain felt at witnessing Israel’s disproportionate and indiscriminate killing of Palestinian civilians, many members of the Arab American community (both Muslim and Christian) felt that this behavior came across as extremely insensitive. Where was their empathy for the helpless children who were facing and continue toface Israeli bombardment? I believe that these elected officials, along with President Joe Biden, will lose constituent votes.
Both our guts and minds tell us that stakeholders who can see a bright future for themselves and their families are generally thankful and peaceful people. That should include Israelis and Palestinians. All we need are leaders with integrity to push for a negotiated settlement with the understanding that Palestinian lives matter. For too long, they haven’t.
Now is a defining moment for all Michigan elected officials. Does a representative of the people choose to stand for a peaceful resolution to the historic Palestinian-Israel conflict in which both peoples have “the right to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness?” Or do they help allow a genocide to take place by not calling for a ceasefire, toeing the establishment line and looking the other way?
Roy Freij
Detroit
Bobby Knight got a pass because he won
A lifelong basketball fan, Mitch Albom wrote the most clear-eyed assessment on the late Bobby Knight. ("What do you say when a guy like Bobby Knight dies?" Detroit Free Press, Nov. 5.) Albom wrote that Knight was brilliant, yes, in teaching the motion offense, and motivating his team to play tenacious man to man defense.
However, Knight was an unrepentant bully. He thrust his massive hand into Neil Reed’s jugular, snapping Reed’s head back, and he held the grip on Reed’s neck for several seconds. With success, Knight consolidated power. Rick Telander asked, “Why has an institution of higher learning allowed itself to be cowed by a basketball coach?”
Mike Rice berated, cursed, kicked, hurled homophobic slurs and threw basketballs at his Rutgers players. He was summarily fired when video evidence surfaced. No media member excused Rice’s corrosive behavior. Why? He didn’t win enough games.
Marc D. Greenwood
Opelika, Ala.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Hospital merger, Bobby Knight, Israel-Hamas war| Letters to the Editor
