Three partners in Foley’s health care industry team—Monica Chmielewski, Jana Kolarik, and Lori Rubin—attended the Federation of American Hospitals (FAH) Conference and Business Exposition from June 6-8, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. The conference is widely regarded as one of the health industry’s leading health policy events focused on supply-chain and procurement centered issues and topics. The conference was attended by hospital buyers and suppliers across the country, including Group Purchasing Organizations (GPOs), Integrated Delivery Networks (IDNs), and vendors including medical device companies, oxygen suppliers, and pharmaceutical companies. Described in further detail below are key takeaways from the conference:
Monday discussions focused on the response of the Federal and State governments and agencies, GPOs, IDNs, vendors, and hospital supply chains during the major impact period of the COVID-19 pandemic and leveraging lessons learned in preparing for the next disruption. Panelists—including hospital executives, GPO executives and device executives—expressed hopes for improved transparency and data analytics during times of emergency or shortfalls when there is surge demand for certain products. They discussed implementing early warning systems to predict upcoming surge demand, shortening the time from surge demand to delivery, data solutions to head off stock piling, and a desire for quicker federal/state action to help direct supply to where it is needed the most. Panelists also raised concerns regarding the apparent difference between how not-for-profit and for-profit hospitals were treated.
There were further discussions on telehealth and cybersecurity, with particular focus on expanded patient reach thanks to telehealth, quality tracking of telehealth visits, challenges of diagnosing over telehealth consultations, and telehealth aiding in separating infectious patients from vulnerable ones. There were also important conversations regarding health care equity and capital, with a focus on potential capital spend and allocation in the coming “post-COVID” era. The health care labor force was also at the forefront of discussion, with speakers covering a variety of topics from heroes in the pandemic, the global nursing shortage, and rates of anxiety, depression, and burnout in health care workers. One session covered the effect of COVID-19 on disease management, including the modification of management strategies to reduce the risk of infection, delayed or cancelled services causing worsened outcomes in patients with chronic conditions, and, the lingering psychological effects of COVID-19 on patients. Another session, led by executives from three (3) different GPOs, discussed purchased services (not items) in a post-pandemic world and costs and issues associated with same.
Finally, the conference also focused on policy and the current political climate in Washington, D.C. including the potential impact on provider, supplier and manufacturer operations.
Foley has the resources to help you navigate important legal considerations related to business operations and health care industry-specific issues (including a specific focus on supply chain and procurement matters), in the wake of the pandemic and always. Please reach out to the authors or your Foley relationship partner with any questions.