Andy Van Pelt

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 long-term...

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 compliance. Key Themes...

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. When those...