Statement on Healthcare Reform

(March 22, 2010) – To Inova Health System, improving the health of the diverse communities we serve is our mission, and that will never change.

We support improvements in a workable system of care that ensures that all Americans have access to high-quality, low-cost medical services and wellness programs. It’s something we actively practice every day.

With the House vote now concluded, we look forward to working closely with our Congressional delegation to better understand how the specific components of the legislation might improve the American system of care.

Ensuring that more Americans have access to quality healthcare is critical at a time when providers continue to see an increased utilization of emergency rooms for basic primary care, most often when patients are at their sickest and the cost of care at its highest.

As the primary safety-net provider in Northern Virginia, Inova – along with our partners in the community – has been and always will be committed to ensuring that care is available to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay.

We believe there are still issues that need to be addressed, such as policies included in the bill around readmissions and the ongoing critical shortage of primary-care physicians and nurses to take care of the influx of new patients. However, as a leader in our field, we stand ready to work with our partners to find solutions to the challenges we face, now – and, more importantly – in the future.

As this reform legislation begins the implementation phase, we will continue to monitor its progress to ensure that hospitals are still able deliver the high-quality, low-cost care that the communities we serve expect from us every day.

Inova Health System is a not-for-profit healthcare system based in Northern Virginia that consists of hospitals and other health services, including emergency- and urgent-care centers, home care, nursing homes, mental health and blood donor services, and wellness classes. Governed by a voluntary board of community members, Inova’s mission is to improve the health of the diverse community it serves through excellence in patient care, education and research. Inova provides a healthy environment for its patients, families, visitors, staff and physicians by prohibiting tobacco use on its campuses.