Most hospitals are lacking three things they need to succeed, Paul Keckley, PhD, wrote in a July 15 article on his website.
Hospital leaders and boards should focus on the following issues, the healthcare policy analyst said.
1. Affordability
Nearly 3 in 4 Americans are worried about being able to afford healthcare services, and the majority believe the U.S. health system prioritizes profits over patient care, Dr. Keckley wrote.
Healthcare affordability has continued to decline since 2022, according to a recent Gallup survey.
2. Vision
The majority of Americans view the U.S. health system as fundamentally flawed and are unsure of its future, Dr. Keckley said, pointing to inequitable access and uneven outcomes as reasons for these views.
Hospital boards should focus on setting direction for their organizations, securing funding for strategies, and hiring and retaining proper leadership, he said.
3. Trust
Without trust, affordability and a vision for the future cannot be tackled.
The U.S. medical system ranks fourth in public confidence of America's key institutions, according to Gallup. Out of 807 American adults surveyed in a November poll, Dr. Keckley said, the majority do not have confidence in physicians, hospitals, insurers or the federal government to fix the U.S. health system's issues.