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Healthcare does not respect state lines—yet much of our infrastructure still assumes it does. Patients in rural and frontier communities routinely travel for hours to access specialty care. EMS agencies cross borders every day to reach the nearest appropriate destination. Health systems operate across multiple states. And during surges—whether driven by respiratory illness, wildfires, extreme heat, or mass-casualty events—the closest available bed is often not in the patient’

Here we are, December 1st. Over the past several months, I’ve been in conversations with dozens of states as they prepare for the next significant milestone in rural health policy: the CMS Rural Hospital Transformation (RHT) Program . With awards expected to be announced by the end of the year, states are about to enter a rapid and consequential planning process—one that will determine not only how dollars are spent, but whether those investments position rural hospitals for

A Renewed Sense of Momentum in Healthcare This week at the eHealth Exchange Annual Meeting in Nashville, we felt a renewed sense of momentum—something rare in healthcare. This year, the focus shifted from minor upgrades and regulations to an urgent, shared goal: making interoperability the proper foundation for patient-centered care and better outcomes. The speakers' consensus was clear—future efforts must prioritize patients above platforms and improved health above complian

For years, hospitals have known that emergency department boarding—the practice of holding admitted patients in the ED while waiting for an inpatient bed—creates serious challenges for both operations and patient care. What’s often less visible is the financial impact. A landmark analysis from the Wharton School more than a decade ago helped quantify what many hospital leaders already sensed: reducing boarding isn’t just good for patient flow, it’s good for the bottom line.

For nearly twenty years, I’ve had the privilege of helping health systems, working with state and national health associations, and state agencies across the country design and operationalize real-time data systems. I’ve seen firsthand what happens when organizations choose to work together — when they decide that information should flow across hospitals, providers, and regions, not sit trapped in silos. The results are powerful: faster response during crises, better patient

Last week’s Becker’s HIT & Digital Health Conference in Chicago was one of those rare gatherings where the hallway conversations mattered...

This week’s announcement of the CMS $50B Rural Transformation Fund represents more than just a new funding stream. It’s a call to action....

I’ve spent a lot of time lately writing about how technology and real-time data are changing healthcare. The ability to see, in the...

Over the past several months, I’ve been writing about different aspects of a challenge that touches every community in America: how we...

When disaster strikes—whether it’s a pandemic, wildfire, hurricane, or mass casualty event—our nation’s ability to respond effectively...

When Hurricane Beryl ripped through the Gulf a year ago—shutting down power grids and sending families scrambling across state lines—it...

As digital infrastructure becomes more deeply embedded in our health systems, the stakes for how we build, govern, and sustain technology...

Several weeks ago I wrote about how health systems are moving beyond innovation buzzwords by investing in real-time operational...

At Van Pelt & Company, we are privileged to partner with organizations that are making a measurable difference in the lives of the...

A recent piece from Becker’s Hospital Review  highlights a growing reality in healthcare: organizations are moving beyond abstract...

The healthcare industry has made notable progress in its long-standing goal of achieving interoperability—the ability to securely...

Federal public health financing has brought with it a new era, one that offers a unique opportunity. As the traditional funding channels...

Here at Van Pelt & Company, we’re honored to work alongside organizations that are not just following the pace of change—they’re leading...

Artificial intelligence (AI) keeps making headlines in healthcare, with claims that it will transform everything from diagnosis to...

Nurses are the foundation of healthcare. Not only do they provide their medical skill, but they also provide the caring and commitment...