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The impact of the health-care industry on the region's economy was the focus of the "Economic Indicators: An Update for the 7 Rivers Region" breakfast at the Cleary Alumni and Friends Center. About
180 people attended. The economic indicators breakfasts are held twice a year and are sponsored by the State Bank of La Crosse, UW-L and the La Crosse Tribune.
Executives from four major health-care providers discussed regional trends and issues for the industry. Speakers were Dr. Jeff Thompson, chief executive officer of Gundersen Lutheran in La Crosse; Dr. Robert Nesse, president and CEO of Franciscan Skemp Healthcare in La Crosse; Rachelle Schultz, president and CEO of Winona Health in Winona, Minn.; and Philip J. Stuart, CEO of Tomah Memorial Hospital in Tomah, Wis.
"I think one of the things we're seeing a lot more of, and I think we need to see a lot more of, is collaboration," Schultz said. There is value to competitiveness, she said, adding, "It keeps us all on our toes."
But with some aspects of health care, "we can get arms races going that aren't really good for the area, as opposed to collaborative types of efforts that really can benefit the overall area," Schultz said.
Some examples of collaboration cited by speakers included the La Crosse Medical Health Science Consortium (made of UW-L, Viterbo University, Western Wisconsin Technical College, Gundersen Lutheran and Franciscan Skemp) which collaborated to build the $27 million Health Science Center health and science facility; the Trane Co.-Gundersen Lutheran health fairs where Trane employees learn about their health and are encouraged to make healthy changes in lifestyle; and CARE, a health-care cooperative of La Crosse-area businesses.
Other examples cited included the June announcement of a project to move Winona Clinic to Community Memorial Hospital's campus, as well as add a clinic building, expand the hospital and build a parking garage; the "Healthy Living Today, Not Tomorrow" six-month community project spearheaded by the Tribune and WXOW-TV; and an effort by the three La Crosse colleges and others to reduce binge drinking.
Gundersen Lutheran, Franciscan Skemp and Winona Health together employ more than 10,000 people and along with other health-care providers play a major role in the region's economy.
Trends include increased usage of health care. "It's really going to be a big deal," Thompson said of Baby Boomers becoming older. "There is a huge wave of people that will get older and older and need more health care," he said. At the same time, he said, "People are demanding more health care, and demanding it quicker and faster."
Outpatient-based care is increasing, while care involving overnight hospital stays is decreasing, Stuart said.
There is some cost-shifting to private payers because Medicare and Medicaid doesn't fully reimburse providers for the cost of serving patients covered by those government programs, Nesse said. "There's also increased utilization of care," he said. And much of the care being provided requires expensive technology and is labor-intensive, he said.
Steve Cahalan can be reached at (608) 791-8229 or scahalan@lacrossetribune.com.
