The Observation Deck

CCF's Dr, Bronson was highly involved in the Affordable Care Act. This was at the same time CCF was scheming the "decanting" plan.


What was the main reason that CCF lobbied for passage of the ACA?

I suppose, as with all things CCF, it's all about the $. Actual "healthcare" is simply a means to an end for the CCF. That end is $$$.

Prior to the ACA, CCF, like other hospital systems, was reimbursed under a Medicaid program based upon the amount charity dollars delivered to the public. "Charity" is defined as the hard dollars that were uncollectible and written off ---essentially bad debt. CCF and other hospital systems supported ACA largely hoping that even though they would be losing reimbursement for charity work the trade off was that it would pick up more in new ACA insurance reimbursements.

How well has that worked out for CCF?

Remember they started layoffs prior to the launch of helathcare.gov

Since the ACA expanded Medicaid (and Ohio chose to participate) and CCF admits that it is so ineffecient it loses money on Medicaid, its natural that "for profit" CCF wanted to move out of Service Areas where there is a need for charity and have higher than average Medicaid clientele.

So the largest healthcare "charity" in our region is not just running from us but also wants to demolish the hospital to prevent a more efficient competitor from moving in and also set up a referral center to prey on our better payers.

When did CCF begin to accelerate its planned closing of Lakewood Hospital? About the same time Cosgrove was promoted and CCF was lobbying for passage of the ACA.

Cosgrove and CCF are perfect partners for Summers in his WAR on the POOR.