UHD CEO Rick Ash, left, shares some of his concerns regarding rural health care facilities with Representative Bjorn Olson, right, during a forum held in Blue Earth on Jan. 24.

There were a number of issues to discuss when United Hospital District held a legislative forum with Representative Bjorn Olson on Monday, Jan. 24. Senator Julie Rosen was also originally scheduled to attend the forum but was unable to make it.

But, in the end, a couple of subjects garnered most of the attention of the UHD administrators and staff.

“Dealing with some of the insurance companies is a major concern,” Dr. Aaron Johnson stated. “They do not seem to want to approve many treatments unless it involves the use of Vicodin, Percocet, or OxyContin. Then, the Department of Health slaps our hand and says we are prescribing too many narcotics.”

The frustration with insurance companies was echoed by Dr. Alex Wong.

“Physicians used to be left alone to practice medicine,” Wong commented. “Now, a lot of people want to practice medicine without going to medical school. Insurance companies want to tell us what to do.”

The frustration of the delays caused by waiting to get approval for medical tests or procedures was also a hot topic.

“Prior-authorization is definitely a problem,” Johnson said. “It is incredible the amount of time we waste trying to get things authorized. Let’s not punish the ones who are trying to help people.”

The pandemic was also a topic of discussion.

“COVID has impacted us in ways we did not expect,” UHD CEO (Chief Executive Officer) Rick Ash shared. “We have made it through some difficult times and are hopeful to see COVID come to an end in the near future.”

Ash had a list of issues UHD had to deal with because of the pandemic.

“We had to temporarily shut down clinics and stop and/or reduce elective surgeries and services,” Ash explained. “In addition, we had employees quarantined, employees working overtime and double shifts, supply shortages and having to deal with constant change and the unknown of tomorrows. This took a toll on every healthcare worker.”

Another problem brought to the table was staffing, which has become more of a problem in rural hospitals, according to Ash.

“Staffing recruitment and retention is becoming increasingly more difficult,” Ash noted. “The limited supply and the increased compensation expectations are growing at an increasing rate. It is a problem which has been growing for many years.”

Johnson shared an idea he had to help the labor situation.

“Why can’t we set something up with the University of Minnesota, for example, where we could meet with a student and offer help covering their tuition, but in return, upon graduating the student would have to agree to work for six years at that hospital,” he suggested. “It would help with the student’s enormous education debt so maybe they would not feel they had to go to a larger institution where they might make more money.”

Leveling the playing field was also a topic of discussion.

“The trend is bigger with all of the health systems because that is the way the business model is set,” Ash explained. “Sometimes, it seems like the industry seems to lose its focus on helping people to get healthy and stay healthy.”

Ash also mentioned one more concern.

“The closing of rural hospitals is a growing problem,” he commented. “If that trend continues, it will be more difficult in the future to keep health care local.”