Richard Umdenstock Addresses the Challenges That Institutions May Face With the Newly Insured

Richard Umdenstock, president and chief executive officer, American Hospital Association, says institutions may face a number of challenges as they absorb the newly insured. First, they will need to ensure that patients are correctly utilizing services in the system. For instance, this means they are not waiting too long to seek care or using the emergency department as a first point of care. Next, he suggests that hospitals and other institutions will need the internal capacity—whether in staff numbers or physical space—to treat the volumes of patients seeking care. Finally, he suggests that collaborating with partners outside the hospital will be essential. Mr Umdenstock suggests that not everything has to happen at the hospital.