A Tale of Two Headlines
NY Times: 
In Health Care Overhaul, Boons for Hospitals and Drug Makers
March 21, 2010
“Hospitals have little to fear...the hospitals agreed to help defray the costs of the legislation by agreeing to contribute $155 billion....”
Moody’s Investors Service:
Long-term Credit Challenges of Healthcare Reform Outweigh Benefits for Not-for-Profit Hospitals
April 2010
So who are we to believe? The “old gray lady,” a journalism destination in the midst of a journalism wasteland...or a comprehensive analysis as prepared by Moody’s Investors Service....
The conflict of perception is stark in its nature, but it reflects the lack of understanding by millions of people about the impact of the PPACA.
I find Moody’s analysis to be thoughtful and thorough; yet even it is limited by the potential impact of reconciliation, state reactions, regulatory interpretation, and numerous other competitive reactions.
To quote Roger Goodell, NFL commissioner, “do not let 'perfect' get in the way of better.” But there is always a better, and I don’t think better will always come out of legislation. To wit, hospitals did not agree to defray the cost of the legislation by agreeing to contribute $155 billion over 10 years as the NY Times states. Hospitals simply absorbed this legislative impact, understanding that other significant changes must occur which will hopefully offset this cost.
This analysis of PPACA is still not complete. And as patients and providers are impacted, you can rest assured, more changes will be promulgated. Providers, however, must begin the planning and education process now. We have performed five health system education sessions for their board members and the dialogue that has occurred in those sessions was superb and thought provoking.
