Visiting Nurse / Hospice Atlanta Blogs

What to Expect in 2017

Uncertainty and opportunity. No one has a crystal ball on what changes will come to health care in 2017. (If someone does have a crystal ball, please send me the winning lottery ticket numbers for next Saturday. I prefer the Powerball.)

If you have been on planet Earth for the past few months, you know that beginning January 21, 2017 we will have a new President with a new agenda. In addition to having a Republican in the White House, both houses of Congress have a Republican majority. We do not need a crystal ball to know that there will be changes to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) often referred to as ObamaCare. We can assume that some changes will be good and some will be not-so-good. That is how policy works.

A Look at the Affordable Care Act

Americans like much of the ACA, such as providing insurance for dependents up to 26 years of age and that no one can be denied insurance for pre-existing conditions, and that all insurance coverage must completely cover preventative health care. I do not expect these will change.

But problems exist in the law. For example, for the past 40 years real, per capita healthcare spending has been growing at twice the rate of growth of real, per capita income. You do not need to be an economist to understand that if the cost of something you need is growing faster than your income, you have to cut back on something else. To try to combat the growth, after 2018 the ACA limits the growth of Medicare spending, Medicaid Hospital payments and government subsidies to the exchanges to basically the cost of real GDP growth plus ½ of 1 percent. This means that as health care costs rise, the government will be providing less and less help to those in need. This is but one example of why we need to fix the ACA—and the issues in health care. It is incredibly complex. The costs are growing too fast and we need to be sure that Americans have access to health care. Stating the problem is simple but the solution is not easy.

About half of the ACA was paid for by cuts to healthcare providers. The results of these cuts across the country is reduced access to care for the most vulnerable among us. Providers are being asked to do more and get less reimbursement. I hope that we see an increase in reimbursement and a decrease in the regulatory burden—especially the burdens that do nothing to improve care.

And the list goes on—but I only have 500 words for this blog.

Challenges Produce Opportunities

Here are a few opportunities that come from some of the problems we face: first, to get healthcare costs under control, we must fix the healthcare system by reducing waste, fraud and abuse; a drive to tie payment to quality; price transparency for patients; and, greater patient engagement. The providers with the highest quality should get the highest reimbursement. When we buy just about anything other than healthcare, we tie quality to price. Would it not make sense for healthcare payers to pay providers based on if they keep people healthy or heal them rather than just because they perform a particular procedure?

As consumers of health care, we need to know which questions to ask, we need education on how to be a partner with our physician in our healthcare decisions. I believe that one of our biggest opportunities is for personal responsibility in our health and our health care. We need information and full transparency with an understanding of the cost, the risks, the benefits and the burdens of our decisions.

There is much to improve in health care. I am confident that our thought leaders are talking to their elected leaders in Congress. I know I am.

Norene Mostkoff
President & CEO
404-215-6110 Office

To make a donation to help those less fortunate, please call our Advancement department at 404-215-6010 or visit vnhs.org/donate.

 

 

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Today, we remember and honor all who gave their lives in service to our country. Their courage, sacrifice, and dedication will never be forgotten. Forever grateful. 🕊️
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🏌️‍♀️ We’re proud to be part of a great cause on and off the course!

Visiting Nurse Health System | Hospice Atlanta was honored to participate in and sponsor this year's LeadingAge Georgia Golf Tournament—an event that brings together healthcare partners and changemakers in senior care. 

This tournament helps sustain the vital work of LeadingAge Georgia, empowering member organizations that serve and advocate for our aging population across the state. It’s a privilege to be part of a community so committed to compassionate, quality care for older adults. ⛳️💙

#LeadingAgeGA #GolfForACause #SeniorCare #VisitingNurseHealthSystem #HospiceAtlanta #AgingWithDignity #CommunitySupport

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🎉 Please join us in celebrating our Employee of the Month – Dykia Brummitt! 🌟

Dykia’s dedication, compassion, and positive team spirit make a lasting impact on everyone she cares for. Her commitment to our mission and values here at Visiting Nurse Health System shines through in all she does, and we are so grateful to have her on our team. 💙👏

Congratulations, Dykia—you truly embody what it means to provide care with heart! 🏆

#EmployeeOfTheMonth #VisitingNurseProud #HealthcareHeroes #ThankYouDykia #visitingnursehealthsystem

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🎉 Celebrating Nurses Month continues with our incredible nursing team at Hospice Atlanta | Visiting Nurse Home Health! 💙🩺Here's our Home Health team celebrating this week! We’re so proud of our compassionate, dedicated nurses who go above and beyond every day to care for our community in the comfort of their home. Thank you for all that you do! 👏

#NursesMonth #VisitingNurseHealthSystem #ThankYouNurses #hospiceatlanta

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We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us last Saturday for Hospice Atlanta's 3rd Annual Resilience bereavement event. Whether you came to listen, speak, or simply be present, your participation helped create a space of healing, support, and strength.

A special thank you to our incredible speakers, who so generously shared their stories, insights, and compassion. Your words touched many and reminded us all that even in grief, we are not alone.

To every attendee — your presence was powerful. Thank you for showing up for yourselves, and for each other. Together, we honored our losses and found comfort in community. Thank you to our gracious volunteers and staff who supported the event operations. Let’s continue to walk this path together. 💛

 #ResilienceEvent #GriefSupport #ThankYou #HealingTogether #hospiceatlanta #visitingnursehealthsystem

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💐Happy Mother's Day!💐

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Happy Nurses Week! 
Celebrating this week the incredible dedication, compassion, and resilience of nurses here at Visiting Nurse | Hospice Atlanta and everywhere! 🌟🩺
Nurses are the backbone of healthcare, providing unwavering support and care to patients and their families. In 2025, we continue to recognize the vital role they play in our communities and their commitment to improving lives. Let's take a moment to express our gratitude and appreciation for these healthcare heroes. 

Join us in celebrating Nurses Week by sharing a story of a nurse who has inspired you or by simply saying “thank you” to a nurse who has made a difference in your life.

Thank You For All You Do!! Happy Nurses Week! 💙🏥 #nursesweek2025#healthcareheroes#ThankYouNurses#visitingnursehealthsystem#hospiceatlanta

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Thank you Mutual of America for a great time celebrating our mission, Healthcare Champions, and new friends of Visiting Nurse at Mercedes Stadium.

#visitingnursehealthsystem #hospiceatlanta #communityfirst

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We had a great time celebrating OT month, culminating this week with our 2025 Home Health OT Breakfast! 
Thank you OTs for all you do!

#OTMonth #visitingnursehealthsystem #hospiceatlanta #teamworkmakesthedreamwork❤️

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Space Is Still Available - Sign Up Today!

Join us for our 3rd Annual Resilience Event on May 17th, 2025.

This FREE event is designed to support those on the grief journey.
Participants will have the opportunity to:
• Hear from others who understand the grief journey.
• Engage in grief break-out groups for shared support.
• Receive tangible tools to cope with loss and grief.
Together, we can build resilience and support each other through grief. Registration Required.

#hospiceatlanta #visitingnursehealthsystem #grief

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As we continue to celebrate our volunteers during National Volunteer Appreciation Week & Month, enjoy this message from one of our longtime volunteers and supporters sharing on why folks volunteer!

Barry gives to our community donating his time and talent in many ways impacting many around the globe, including helping individuals on their grief journey through TGBeyond! Thank you for all you do Barry!

#volunteer #volunteerappreciation #visitingnursehealthsystem #hospiceatlanta #TGBeyond

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