Description

In this viewpoint, the authors suggest that a modest reorientation of Hospital Community Benefit Programs (HCBPs) could help accelerate the development of successful regional health improvement initiatives. This article argues that delivery reforms alone cannot produce the cost savings required to sustain the healthcare industry; the industry must address the social determinants of health. HCBPs could be better aligned to help accelerate the natural transition that is occurring towards a social determinants of health-inclusive healthcare model. HCBPs face much less stringent accountability requirements and thus have tremendously greater flexibility. However, policy barriers stand in the way of hospitals coordinating at the regional level.