Constant State of Evolution

01/11/2017

Blog by W. Stephen Love, President/CEO, DFW Hospital Council As we review the rapidly changing landscape of the healthcare delivery system, four major topics are emerging. First, the discussion to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This really involves a series of sprints rather than a marathon. President-Elect Donald Trump could use executive orders to stop the enforcement … Read More

Let’s swim in circles for the new year

12/22/2016

Blog by W. Stephen Love, President/CEO, DFW Hospital Council While looking out of the window of my office in Las Colinas during the cold weather the past two weeks, I noticed ducks swimming in very tight circles on the pond adjacent to our office building. Somewhat intrigued by this odd behavior, I went online for research about this activity. The explanations … Read More

We must all work together

12/06/2016

Blog by W. Stephen Love, President/CEO, DFW Hospital Council Margaret Chase Smith once said, “Public service must be more than doing a job efficiently and honestly. It must be a complete dedication to the people and to the nation.” The 85th Texas Legislative Session begins Jan. 10, 2017. We thank our state leaders for their public service and their dedication … Read More

Scores create déjà vu

08/25/2016

Blog by W. Stephen Love, President/CEO, DFW Hospital Council During my high school years, I worked after school at a local grocery store. I remember the confusion of customers when looking at grades given to fresh fruits and vegetables by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The top grade of apples was U.S. Extra Fancy, oranges was U.S. Fancy and potatoes … Read More

Working together over the next 15 months a priority

06/10/2016

Blog by W. Stephen Love, President/CEO, DFW Hospital Council Vince Lombardi once said, “People who work together will win whether against complex football defenses or the problems of modern society.” We were pleased to learn on May 2 that the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the Texas Medicaid 1115 … Read More

Why does Texas perform so poorly in immunizations?

02/02/2016

By W. Stephen Love, President/CEO, DFW Hospital Council The hot topic on the radio and television is Zika fever. It’s coming! Zika is here! The virus with the unique name is a mosquito-borne disease potentially causing harm to pregnant women. On Monday, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global health emergency regarding this spreading virus. Through mother-to-child transmission, there … Read More

A North Texas New Year’s Resolution

01/04/2016

By W. Stephen Love, President/CEO, DFW Hospital Council It’s that time of year when we begin our New Year’s resolutions. There is one that North Texas could adopt that would save lives and improve the health of everyone, especially our children. It would advance our population health and reduce cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, SIDS and other respiratory disorders. Before you … Read More

A never ending game of “Whac-A-Smoke”

09/01/2015

By W. Stephen Love, President/CEO, DFW Hospital Council Just when you think smoking is decreasing, another tobacco product pops up. The insistence of smoking products reminds me of a game I used to play at the State Fair. Remember “Whac-A-Mole,” where we used a plastic mallet to attempt to tag that irritating mole popping up where you least expect it? … Read More

“Guns in hospitals” loaded yet again

08/19/2015

By W. Stephen Love, President/CEO, DFW Hospital Council It appears the “guns in hospitals” issue is being loaded yet again. As we reflect on the 84th Texas Legislative Session, the DFW Hospital Council is concerned about some leaders’ persistence to repeal the current prohibition on carrying handguns on hospital premises. Several bills introduced last session failed to pass, but some … Read More

Let’s wish Medicare and Medicaid a happy birthday

07/31/2015

By W. Stephen Love, President/CEO, DFW Hospital Council I would like to wish Medicare and Medicaid a happy birthday. On July 30, 2015, the programs turned 50 years old. I am old enough to remember the birth of these social healthcare programs, and it was not easy. In 1965, senior citizens over the age of 65 had little income and … Read More