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www.HartfordBusiness.com • April 27, 2020 • Hartford Business Journal 23 CONNECTICUT HEALTH CARE: LEADERSHIP IN A TIME OF CRISIS Back to the Future: The Post COVID-19 Health Care Delivery System A few well-known facts about the Great Depression in- clude: the stock market lost almost 90% of its value; about 11,000 banks failed, leaving many with no savings; unem- ployment approached 20%; and the average family income dropped by over 40%. Remarkably, the health care delivery system improved. The value equation for health care showed a population with improving health and well-being, yet routinely low health care costs. As we face the COVID-19 pandemic, it's time for America to be forward thinking and advance back to the future. Technology enables Americans to access and communicate with health care providers easily, eliminating barriers to high-quality care. Here are four reasons why we must change today's health care delivery system and focus on the ever- evolving advancements in health care. We must lower the cost of health care. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, America was faced with a health care cost crisis. In response to this pandemic, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) responded with expanded access to Medicare telehealth services, allow- ing patients to receive a broader range of services from pro- viders without traveling to an office, clinic or hospital. CMS now considers virtual visits the same as in-person visits. This change reduces the direct costs, like labor and supplies and indirect costs, like rent and utilities associated with patient care. These savings should be invested into community health and well-being initiatives to improve the overall health of the people we serve. There will be post COVID-19 social distancing. Like the permanent changes that came along with 9/11, we will forever live in a state of "pandemic readiness." According to Harvard researchers, "under current critical care capaci- ties, however, the overall duration of the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic could last into 2022, requiring social distancing measures to be in place between 25% and 75% of that time." 1 This means that our COVID-19 social distancing was so effective that society as a whole didn't develop an adequate immunity to the virus, and some continued social distancing will be necessary. Millennials will continue to drive change. Millennials recently surpassed baby boomers as the larg- est population segment, making up approximately 34% of the general population and about 21% of total health care spend- ing 2 . This generation prefers interacting with their health care providers virtually as convenience is a top priority. For routine health care, bricks and mortar are not important to millenni- als, and they will shop for the best and most convenient care, at the lowest cost. Although for more critical health care needs, millennials prioritize provider capability and experience. Social Determinants of Health Social determinants of health are "influencers" in the en- vironments in which people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, function- ing, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks. The American Hospital Association (AHA) said that 80% of a person's health and well-being can be tied to their physical environment, eco- nomic stability, education, and food insecurity, while just 20% can be tied to their access to quality health care. In highly populated areas, lack of access to transportation negatively impacts employment, which impacts socioeconomic status, which impacts access to healthy foods and health care. To- day's technology can be inserted into this vicious cycle, lead- ing to the mitigation of conditions that influence the health of vulnerable populations. On behalf of Trinity Health Of New England, I salute every- one on the front lines of this pandemic for healing the hearts, minds, souls and bodies of our communities. Together, Reggy Eadie, M.D., M.B.A. President & CEO, Trinity Health Of New England Emergency Medicine Physician References: 1. https://nypost.com/2020/04/14/harvard-researchers-say-coronavirus-social-distancing-may-be-until-2022/ Coronavirus social distancing may be needed until 2022: Harvard researchers. Jackie Salo. April 14, 2020. 2. https://www.managedhealthcareexecutive.com/news/millennials-are-driving-real-healthcare-change. Millennials Are Driving Real Healthcare Change. MHE Staff. December 24, 2019. TrinityHealthOfNE.org

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