Meanwhile, outside Nashville’s health care bubble… (Post Business)

Last week a delegation of nearly 100 Leadership Health Care members visited Washington, D.C., to meet with policymakers about all things health care. The two hottest topics were, of course, accountable care organizations and health care IT, according to LHC Director Judith Byrd. But the various speakers and panelists touched on an array of issues around implementing the health care reform legislation how it will shape the nation’s health care delivery system.

One of the most valuable aspects of the trip was the fact that, because the same group of people attended every session together, the conversation among them was able to build throughout the two-day trip, said Michele Peden of Iasis Healthcare.
“It continued the conversation and led to deeper learning,” she said.

Jim Lackey, who serves as the liasion between the boards of LHC and the Nashville Health Care Council, said it’s enlightening to see the “inner workings” of Washington and how difficult it is to get thigns done.

“They are all good people who are really trying,” Lackey said of the Tennessee delegation, which met with LHC members as part of the trip. He added: “You also realize that although Nashville thinks it runs the business of healthcare, the folks on the hill have a ton of control.”