Service Magazine Fall 2017

@Service Magazine Summer 2017 | 11 In all my years in Washington, this is the most turbulent time in our U.S. political landscape. And the healthcare industry is not immune. During my first three decades in this town, whichever party was in power and could pass bills understood they could not possibly get it all correct on the first try. Many of the bills impacting the delivery and payment of healthcare – the Balanced Budget Act and the Deficit Reduction Act, for example – automatically were revisited each year for revisions by Congress. The point of this was obvious: let’s fix what we didn’t get right the first time. Then came the Affordable Care Act (ACA) or Obamacare. The unwillingness of both parties to introduce reforms to ACA, where there might be agreement (pre-existing condition, affordable premiums and more access), has put limits on providers’ ability to budget and plan. And, what about patients? After July’s action/inaction whereby both parties refused to work together on solutions, much of healthcare remains without a policy roadmap. Many of our customers want a promise of stability. They want the lives they care for to be covered. They want payment systems that are fair and take into account all the extras hospitals are expected to do – keeping emergency rooms open, complying with layers of regulations, and not being able to refuse anyone care. So, how can we thrive in the gray? I’m encouraged by the work of a few House and Senate Democrats and Republicans who introduced modest changes to the ACA as a starting point for bigger reforms later. Addressing the skyrocketing premiums for exchange policies, reevaluating the employer mandate and repealing the medical device tax is a good start. So, as the temperature on the Hill drops, now is a good time to find other ways to move legislation that’s important to us and our customers. Orrin Marcella , from GE Healthcare’s Government Affairs and Policy team, and Diane Wurzburger and Tracey Fox from Regulatory Affairs, have worked hard to level the playing field between GE and third-party service providers. Because of the Medical Device User Fee Act bill, finally approved in early August and signed by the President, the FDA will now study the role and impact of third-party service providers on the delivery of care. In the remaining few months of 2017, we’ll continue to watch ACA repeal efforts to monitor their impact on our customers. And, we’ll find ways to advance policy priorities important to us, such as the extended repeal of the medical device tax, broadening the marketing claims for contrast products, and preventing additional Medicare cuts on imaging procedures. The healthcare policy world is a gray area these days. Let’s help our customers thrive during this time of uncertainty. Uncertainty Across the Healthcare Industry is Affecting Our Customers John Schaeffler is GE Healthcare’s Global Government Affairs and Policy Leader. John represents GE before governments, fighting for what’s best for our customers, our company, our employees, and our shareholders. Opinion | Commentary by John Schaeffler