The TORCH Annual Conference and Trade Show is just weeks away and we are very excited. It is the one time all year when rural hospital administrators, executives, trustees and staff can come to learn about and to share rural healthcare issues in an environment that is primed for both education and networking. Please join us for this year’s stellar lineup of speakers and trainers, each of whom will delve deeply into this year’s theme and help you to discover just what it takes to become a Super Hospital!

There will be 112 different vendor displays in our exhibit hall this year and many other stakeholder organizations and sponsors on hand to share their knowledge and expertise with the representatives of your hospital. As always, the demand for space in our trade show is exceeding demand, so let’s be sure to make them feel welcome. Remember to visit the exhibit hall often and take advantage of all the companies that made a commitment to be on site and discuss with you their many valuable programs and services.

Our invited guests have all confirmed and everyone here is ready to make this year’s TORCH Annual Meeting the best that you have ever attended. Remember that we are encouraging every TORCH member to send at least two attendees. In order to make your decision even easier, we are offering an even deeper discount for your second attendee. Instead of the $200 price, members can now take an additional $50 off. Just be sure to mark your application with the new low $50 price. We promise, you won’t find a better deal than that on a top-notch educational conference.

Day One Keynote Presentation - Moving From Promise to Performance
Speaker: Tim Durkin
This fast-paced session is rich in practical content for helping CEOs and executive staff get SUPERlative results with broad applicability in their respective hospitals. The session will cover essential skills for effective leadership that have proven to increase revenue, enhance patient and family satisfaction, and provide even better clinical outcomes. As one of America’s leading experts at developing leadership skills, Tim Durkin will help attendees learn how they can remove mental interference, make effective and efficient decisions, and take appropriate action for themselves, their employees, and their organization.
For the past ten years, Tim Durkin has been consulting on leadership development, communication, and change to some of the world's top companies including personal coaching for senior executives in those companies. A frequent contributor to books and articles, Tim is the author of Moving from Promise to Performance, a book designed to help individuals, groups, and organizations bridge the gap between inspiration and implementation.

Day Two Key Note Presentation - Achieving Service and Operational Excellence
Speaker: Bob Murphy
A well-known operations leader and national health care presenter, Bob Murphy joined the Studer Group after spending more than 23 years in health care. His presentation will share how the Five Pillars: Service, Quality, People, Finance, and Growth provide the foundation for setting organizational goals and direction for service and operational excellence. You will want to catch every word in this session. For those of you who have heard stories about the success that some hospitals are having after working with Quint Studer, this is your chance to hear some of their secrets first-hand.
Bob Murphy has extensive experience including work as a registered nurse, department leader of Emergency /Trauma Services, quality leader and chief operating officer. Murphy also is a paramedic, health care risk manager, and attorney and licensed fork-lift operator. He is board certified in health care administration and is a Diplomat of the American College of Health Care Executives.

Day Three Keynote Presentation - Quality Improvement and Cost Reduction for Rural Hospitals
Speaker: Chip Caldwell
Chip Caldwell specializes in strategic deployment of clinical and systems quality improvement and cost reduction initiatives. He recently presented a 12-part healthleaders.com series titled “Achieving Quantum Improvement through Six Sigma” and he will explain in this session how rural hospitals can recover losses due to poor quality and gain productivity at the same time. Quality improvement in healthcare is everyone’s job and after hearing this presentation, you’ll be prepared to introduce some cutting edge concepts the minute you get back home.
Chip Caldwell, President, Chip Caldwell & Associates, formerly Senior Vice President, Premier Performance Services and Health Industry Executive of Juran Institute, specializes in strategic deployment of clinical and systems quality improvement and cost reduction initiatives in medical centers, extended care facilities, integrated health systems, and health plans, having previously served as President of the HCA Atlanta health system, an eight hospital network with fifteen owned family practice centers and over 250 contracted physicians. 

Each year at the TORCH Annual Conference, the Gordon Russell Award of Merit is presented by the TORCH Board of Directors to recognize an individual administrator for accomplishments, leadership, and efforts in advancing the value of rural and community hospitals in Texas. The past recipients have each exemplified the characteristics that the award stands to represent. Here is a list of the awardees in previous years.

The award’s namesake, Mr. Gordon Russell, established high standards during his long and distinguished career in the health care industry with his commitment and dedication. Join us in celebrating the achievements of the Year 2008 recipient at the Awards Luncheon on March 19th. Come and find out who the next Gordon Russell Award winner will be. We think you’ll agree that yet another outstanding name has been added to the list.

Last month, we introduced you to Rob Madsen who has taken over the reins of TORCH Management Services from Larry Krupala. Larry has now moved into a part-time role, but he will still be playing a large part with the hospital management and consulting services that TMSI can offer to rural hospital administrators and trustees. In an effort to showcase the benefits of utilizing the services and products that TMSI and TORCH/TMSI Endorsed Vendors can offer, Rob Madsen and Dave Pearson are scheduling on-site visits with each and every TORCH member hospital in 2008.

This is an aggressive goal, but one that both Dave and Rob are eager to accomplish. As they move around the state, they want to share their strategic vision for the future growth of YOUR association and to hear how TORCH and TORCH Management Services can adapt to satisfy any unmet needs that exist among the rural and community hospitals in Texas. This is a time of positive change for TORCH and each of our affiliated organizations. We hope that you will take the time to talk with Rob and Dave when they are in your hometown. The tour just wouldn’t be a success if they don’t get to hear from you.

The first leg of the trip includes stops at Seguin, Luling, Gonzales, Cuero, Yoakum, Hallettsville, Weimer, La Grange, Smithville. Salud! 

Now that the field has narrowed to apparently three candidates to be our next U.S. President, how they see important issues such as healthcare and the economy are much more critical considerations for the record number of Texans who are participating in this year’s state primaries. Clinton and Obama have sparred several times over the need for a personal mandate to purchase health insurance coverage. In this case the primary difference has to do with to whom such a mandate would be applied; children only or all Americans.
While each of the candidates is holding the other to account for the reform plans that they have developed somewhere along the way, several commentators are asking the question why can’t such a monumental change be considered to be incremental in nature. You can’t hope to solve a problem this big in one fail swoop. If that were possible, wouldn’t someone have been able to implement a solution before the number of uninsured got to be equal to twice the population of the state of Texas? Nevertheless, here is some information for you to consider:

Candidate: Hillary Clinton (D)
Current Title: U.S. Senator from New York
Health Care Plan Summary: Plan requires everyone to purchase insurance and provides subsidies to make coverage affordable. Plan would allow people to keep their existing coverage or buy coverage through Federal Employees Health Benefit Program. Plan also requires large employers to provide coverage or help pay for it.

Candidate: John McCain (R)
Current Title: U.S. Senator from Arizona
Health Care Plan Summary: Plan will end tax preference currently benefiting employees with health insurance through their workplace. Plan would expand tax credits to help all individuals and families buy private insurance coverage. Proposes to control health care costs by changing provider payments and through tort reform.

Candidate: Barack Obama (D)
Current Title: U.S. Senator from Illinois
Health Care Plan Summary: Plan requires that all children be insured and that all employers either cover their workers or pay into a public insurance plan. The plan also allows people to keep their existing coverage or purchase coverage through a new purchasing pool called the National Health Insurance Exchange that offers competing private and public options. 

Growth in health care spending in the United States is projected to be 6.7 percent in 2007, according to a report issued recently by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Average annual growth is expected to remain near that rate through 2017, the report said. The analysis was prepared by CMS’s Office of the Actuary and published online by the journal Health Affairs. Over the full projection period (2007-2017), annual growth in health spending is anticipated to be higher than annual growth in both the overall economy (4.9 percent) and in general inflation (2.4 percent).

As a percentage of gross domestic product, known as GDP, health care spending is projected to increase to 16.3 percent in 2007 from 16.0 percent in 2006. By the end of the projection period, health care spending in the United States is expected to reach just over $4.3 trillion and comprise 19.5 percent of GDP.

For health spending through public programs, growth is anticipated to decelerate to 6.8 percent in 2008 after the 8.2 percent growth in 2006 that was largely influenced by the implementation of the Medicare Part D drug benefit. Public health spending growth is then expected to gradually increase toward the end of the projection period, as the leading edge of the baby boom generation begins to enroll in Medicare.

Through 2017, growth in health spending is expected to outpace that of GDP by an annual average of 1.9 percentage points. This projected differential in growth rates is smaller than the 2.7 percentage-point average difference experienced over the past 30 years, but wider than the average differential (0.3 percentage point) observed for 2004 through 2006.

Growth in private health expenditures (which includes out-of-pocket and private health insurance spending) is expected to rebound to 6.3 percent in 2007 following the somewhat slow growth of 5.4 percent in 2006 that was related to the implementation of Medicare Part D. Private spending growth is expected to peak in 2009 at 6.6 percent, then decelerate through 2017 in response to projected slower economic growth in the latter years of the projection period.

Hospital spending growth is expected to accelerate from 7.0 percent in 2006 to 7.5 percent in 2007, partly attributable to higher Medicaid payment rates. Hospital spending growth is then projected to decrease slightly though the rest of the projection period as the growth in demand for hospital services is expected to slow.

“The cost of health care continues to be a real and pressing concern. Making sure we are paying for high quality health care services, not just the number of services provided, is just one of the most critical issues facing the American public and the federal government now and in the future,” said CMS Acting Administrator Kerry Weems. “This projection of health care spending reminds us that we need to accelerate our efforts to improve our health care delivery system to make sure that Medicare and Medicaid are sustainable for future generations of beneficiaries and taxpayers."

The health care spending projection data can be found on the CMS Web site at: www.cms.hhs.gov/NationalHealthExpendData/03_NationalHealthAccountsProjected.asp.
Insurance programs for TORCH member hospitals have increased significantly in both the number of member participants and the extent of coverage offerings. Recently, specific improvements and premium reductions have been achieved for Professional Liability Insurance from CNA HealthPro by HealthSure Insurance Services. Member hospitals have reported savings of over 20% in their premium and stated their satisfaction at having the coverage through a financially secure “A” rated carrier.

For complete information on this insurance coverage, as well as all other types of coverage for rural hospitals, contact HealthSure at 1-254-773-9814. Brant Couch will be happy to talk with you about the unique benefits of this liability coverage, insurance needs your hospital may have, provide information on coverage requirements, and answer any questions about insurance for your facility.

The Texas Organization of Rural & Community Hospitals (TORCH) has established the first endowed scholarship at the Texas A&M Health Science Center School of Rural Public Health in honor of their founding President and CEO, John F. Boff. Mr. Boff was CEO of TORCH for 16 years and served on the founding External Advisory Board of the School until his death in 2006. “Rural hospitals are experiencing unprecedented changes and require dynamic leaders to keep pace with the new consumer-driven healthcare marketplace. TORCH is proud of the many fine individuals demonstrating administrative and professional excellence in our rural hospitals,” said TORCH President/CEO David Pearson. “We are pleased to establish the John F. Boff Endowed Scholarship and look forward to seeing the benefits of this scholarship reflected in the next generation of rural hospital CEOs.”

“The generosity of TORCH and its member hospitals along with the Boff family in establishing this scholarship is a tremendous gift to the School, and one that will continue to benefit deserving young healthcare professionals for years to come,” said Ciro V. Sumaya, Founding Dean of the School of Rural Public Health.

Jorge Ernesto Leal was awarded the first John F. Boff Scholarship. “Mr. Leal is an outstanding example of the students in the School of Rural Public Health program. The scholarship will provide a tremendous opportunity for the School’s students to get involved and learn how hospitals make a meaningful impact on the health of rural Texans,” said Dean Sumaya.

The School of Rural Public Health at Texas A&M University was recently ranked by U.S. World News and Report as one of the top 25 public health schools in the nation. The School will also be celebrating its 10th Anniversary in March. We would like to thank Dean Sumaya and the rest of the SRPH staff for their commitment to TORCH and to improving public health in rural Texas.

Insurance programs for TORCH member hospitals have increased significantly in both the number of member participants and the extent of coverage offerings.Recently, specific improvements and premium reductions have been achieved for Professional Liability Insurance from CNA HealthPro by HealthSure Insurance Services.Member hospitals have reported savings of over 20% in their premium and stated their satisfaction at having the coverage through a financially secure “A” rated carrier.

For complete information on this insurance coverage, as well as all other types of coverage for rural hospitals, contact HealthSure at 1-254-773-9814.Brant Couch will be happy to talk with you about the unique benefits of this liability coverage, insurance needs your hospital may have, provide information on coverage requirements, and answer any questions about insurance for your facility.

The School of Rural Public Health at Texas A & M University was founded 10 years ago and was the nation’s first School of Rural Public Health.Watch your mail for information on the anniversary celebration of the founding of the School planned for April 5 on the TAMU campus in College Station.The School has developed three master’s and three doctoral degree programs, a distance education program, and several centers of research excellence.The Master of Public Health degree is offered at the College Station campus and in several locations in Central and South Texas through state-of-the-art distance education technology.The Master of Health Administration program has established a strong record for placement of graduates.The School has grown to an enrollment of 279 students and 52 full/part time faculty members, with more than $7.62 million in research expenditures for 2006.The SRPH is conducting groundbreaking research, providing high-quality educational programs, and preparing future leaders for rural health care in Texas.

The TORCH Board of Directors supports and encourages members to take advantage of the SRPH MHA administrative residency program which places young professionals in rural hospitals across Texas.These aspiring and talented students can make a solid contribution to operations in rural hospitals and allow experienced administrators to mentor those new graduates seeking to work in rural hospital administration.The John F. Boff Endowed Scholarship provides assistance to SRPH students with their education expenses.The post graduate administrative residency program provides both the student and the hospital with the opportunity to develop young leaders prepared in a real-world setting to handle the challenges of rural health care in Texas.To get more information on this program and on how you can contribute to the Scholarship Fund, contact the TORCH office at 1-512-873-0045.

• Are you ready to compete for highly skilled employees during a labor shortage and do you provide the perks to stay ahead?
• Did you know over 80% of employees perceive voluntary benefits to be valuable, but only two-thirds of employers offer these benefits?
• Within 10 years, 40% of working RNs will be 50 or older, yet employment in this industry is expected to grow faster than the national average through 2014. That means nursing may experience a 20% shortage in the skilled labor pool by 2020.
• Did you know employees in the heath care industry purchase the most voluntary benefits, representing approximately 36% of all voluntary sales in America?

Rural hospitals will need competitive benefits to stay ahead of this labor shortage. Plan on attending the “Benefit Plans” session at the TORCH conference on Wednesday at 4:45 pm to learn more about benefit programs, successful enrollment strategies and TORCH's newest programs designed to help you stay ahead from experts at SLG Benefits, Unum and HealthSure.

DID YOU KNOW that you personally could be found guilty of stealing your patients’ and employees’ identity without even knowing you did it?

DID YOU KNOW that ID Theft is not just about electronic and Cyber concerns and in fact only part of the liability factor?

DID YOU KNOW that new State & Federal Laws hold upper management personally accountable for how their hospitals and clinics handle non public information & include fines and jail time as possible consequences for non compliance?

DID YOU KNOW that through TORCH, there are liability protection policies to protect your facility before, during and after any type of data breach may occur with patients or employees?

DID YOU KNOW that as a TORCH member there are a few very simple steps you can take to be Pro-Active about protecting your Hospitals employees and patients data and it doesn't have to cost your hospital anything?

Come learn more about how just a few simple steps can help mitigate your risk of ID Theft from a personal and professional standpoint, and why its so much more than just computers that we all need to be wary of. Our afternoon breakout session “Bullet Proof” on Wednesday at 4:00 pm, will include National experts from HealthSure, CNA and IDTheft Solutions of America. Get signed up today!

This D&W newsletter article points out Kevin Reed’s professional accomplishments as being named the “Go-To” Guy by Texas Lawyer magazine for Health Law in the State of Texas. Please join us in congratulating Kevin on this outstanding and rare professional accomplishment. We are fortunate to have him as TORCH’s general counsel.

On October 8, 2007, Texas Lawyer published its “Go-To Guide, Texas’ Top Notch Lawyers.” Kevin Reed was honored with being recognized as the “Go-To Lawyer” in Health Law.“Many of my clients have been my clients more than 15 years,” Kevin said.clients are primarily small community hospitals across Texas and the organizations that represent them.also serves as general counsel to the 150-member Texas Organization of Rural and Community Hospitals, the Texas Association of Rural Health Clinics, and the Texas Hospital Home Health Association.

Kevin's clients have big challenges. patient care, Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements, and similar financial challenges are difficult to handle because of their scale. As Kevin says, “they struggle every day to meet the same regulations that face every hospital . . . but without the resources.”also are getting squeezed in a movement toward more physician ownership of health-care facilities.creates competition and puts bottom-line pressure on nonprofit and community-owned hospitals.

Kevin’s father encouraged him to become a lawyer one day.attending the University of Texas School of Law, Kevin clerked for the Austin firm of Cain &Martin in the small firm’s health-care practice.it interested him, Kevin took a job there after graduating in 1979.soon moved on to the Texas Health Facilities Commission, where he worked as a hearing officer.and learning from the lawyers in front of him provided an extraordinary learning experience for Kevin.two years, he moved to the firm of Davis & Davis in Austin and then to Davis & Wilkerson, as a shareholder in 1992.

The long-term relationship he has with his clients speaks to Kevin’s abilities.clients, Kevin says, also are his friends.“It’s a wonderful practice.It’s a joy to do every day.”