{"id":1843,"date":"2012-11-23T14:38:08","date_gmt":"2012-11-23T19:38:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.khpi.org\/blog\/?p=1843"},"modified":"2012-11-23T19:48:01","modified_gmt":"2012-11-24T00:48:01","slug":"kentuckyone-health-notifies-its-physicians-about-partnership","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.khpi.org\/blog\/kentuckyone-health-notifies-its-physicians-about-partnership\/","title":{"rendered":"KentuckyOne Health Notifies Its Physicians About Partnership."},"content":{"rendered":"

KentuckyOne Health (KOH) sent the following email to its physicians and employees on Nov 21. \u00a0Most of the text is derived from promotional materials released at a press conference Nov 14.<\/a> The text of the announcement itself is reprinted below. \u00a0Two additional tables comparing the new agreement with the previous failed merger attempt are included in the PDF version downloadable<\/a> here. Following the KOH notice, I add a few thoughts of my own. Please also read my current analysis of the Joint Operating Agreement<\/a> and the Academic Affiliation Agreement<\/a> for background.<\/p>\n

“TO: KentuckyOne Health Physicians
\nKentuckyOne Health Employees<\/p>\n

FROM: Ruth W. Brinkley, President\/CEO, KentuckyOne Health<\/p>\n

DATE: November 21, 2012<\/p>\n

RE: New partnership with University of Louisville, University Medical Center and James Graham Brown Cancer Center<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve had a whirlwind of activity as we worked with University of Louisville and the University Medical Center to announce that KentuckyOne Health was selected as their partner in a joint operating agreement (JOA). With the announcement behind us, Debbie Molnar will lead the integration effort, which is already under way. Full integration will occur March 1, 2013.<\/p>\n

The request for proposal process was a 10-month undertaking conducted under the Commonwealth of Kentucky\u2019s stringent procurement rules and procedures. KentuckyOne\u2019s administration and Physician Leadership Council were actively involved in developing our proposal and in negotiations with the UofL, UMC and the state. The RRP process was competitive and involved one other bidder, Health Management Associates of Naples, Fla.<\/p>\n

The future of health care is for providers to be part of regional networks of aligned and coordinated health care delivery systems that meet the demands \u2014 and improve the health \u2014 of the communities they serve. Our mission is built around audacious goals to improve health care in Kentucky; to partner with physicians to guide, govern and manage the system; and an unwavering commitment to a core belief of providing medical care for all of Kentucky\u2019s citizens, regardless of their ability to pay.<\/p>\n

We know all too well the health challenges that Kentucky faces, from a significant shortage of physicians to a high incidence of disease. To meet those challenges head on, and provide quality care for all Kentuckians, Kentucky needs a premier, integrated health system. We firmly believe that KentuckyOne \u2014 together with a thriving University Medical Center \u2014 will be that system.<\/p>\n

On Wednesday, Nov. 14, I joined officials from UofL and UMC for the announcement that, after the extensive and exhaustive RFP process, they had selected KentuckyOne Health as the health care partner to help them grow and succeed in the future.\u00a0Here<\/a> you\u2019ll find a fact sheet that outlines the terms of the JOA the parties have signed for a 20-year partnership. It is important to understand that the financial commitment that was made as part of the JOA is in addition to the commitment we have already made (and have begun implementing) when we announced the original KentuckyOne merger in January. That commitment has not changed.<\/p>\n

According to UofL and UMC officials, KentuckyOne emerged as the preferred partner due to key strategic alignments in several key areas, including:<\/p>\n