Nine out of 10 healthcare providers say the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will be a “step forward” in addressing long-term health issues in the United States once it is fully established, and 83 percent say it is good for Americans, according to a survey of more than 190 healthcare leaders by Mortenson Construction.
The providers did not make an unqualified endorsement of the ACA, however. A full 86 percent say the ACA needs major changes or revisions.
Providers are excited about opportunities to improve while worried about the transition under way. Nearly four out of five, or 79 percent, say health reform is creating significant uncertainty for their organizations and the healthcare industry.
Tellingly, 74 percent predict it will challenge their organization’s financial condition with 72 percent saying it already has.
Other insights:
• Overall optimism about the future of U.S. healthcare among healthcare providers dropped from 85 percent optimistic in 2012 to 60 percent optimistic in 2013
• Four out of five say the ACA will successfully shift reimbursements to pay for the quality of outcomes
• 71 percent say it will improve quality and outcomes, and 65 percent say it will lower the cost of care
• 95 percent of healthcare providers believe specialized facilities, such as MRI centers, cancer centers and urgent care centers will grow in prominence in the next three years
“The healthcare market is in the process of adapting to a new normal,” said Bob Nartonis, Senior Vice President and National Healthcare Market Leader at Mortenson. “Many institutions are rethinking their basic assumptions regarding how they should operate going forward, understanding that there are new rewards for those who can successfully adapt and unwanted consequences for those who cannot.”
To understand the impact of the Affordable Care Act on healthcare providers and their facilities, Mortenson spoke to healthcare professionals at the Healthcare Design Conference in November to better understand these issues and the impact on design and construction trends. More than 190 professionals provided feedback, including healthcare administrators and facilities leaders, architects, and academics.
The new models for healthcare delivery and payment are requiring new approaches to healthcare facilities. With the pressing need to become more efficient and cut costs, they are emphasizing more flexibility in facility design and layouts that make it easier for patients to find their way around and for multi-disciplinary teams to work together. They also are relying more heavily on innovative technologies and project delivery methods to streamline construction to improve success.
Mortenson is one of the leading healthcare contractors in the U.S. and has completed more than 18.5 million square feet of healthcare construction and renovations nationwide in the past 10 years.
Download a free copy of the 2014 Mortenson Construction Healthcare Industry Study.
Related Stories
| Jan 26, 2012
Summit Design+Build completes law office in Chicago
Applegate & Thorne-Thomsen's new office suite features private offices, open office area, conference rooms, reception area, exposed wood beams and columns, and exposed brick.
| Jan 24, 2012
New iPad app ready for prime time
Siemens’ versatile application connects users to APOGEE BAS control and monitoring functions via wireless network connectivity. The application directly interacts with BACnet/IP and Siemens APOGEE P2 field panels.
| Jan 24, 2012
Vyhanek joins Thornton Tomasetti’s Kansas City office
Vyhanek will assemble a new MEP team in the Midwest to support Building Performance and Property Loss Consulting practices.
| Jan 24, 2012
U of M installs new lighting at Crisler Player Development Center
Energy efficient lighting installed at PDC reduce costs and improves player performance.
| Jan 24, 2012
Rockingham County Judicial Center receives USGBC Gold NC v.2.2
The Rockingham facility is the first judicial center in North Carolina to seek certification from the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Building rating system.
| Jan 19, 2012
LEED puts the 'Gold' in Riverside golden arches
McDonald's restaurant recognized for significant energy savings.
| Jan 19, 2012
Odebrecht and Braskem bring sustainable award to U.S. university students
The Odebrecht Award for sustainable development rewards future leaders in engineering and chemistry.
| Jan 19, 2012
BOKA Powell-designed facility at Texas A&M Bryan campus
The new facility provides programs for the Texas A&M Health Science Center, the Texas Brain and Spine Institute, Mary Crowley Cancer Research Centers, and Blinn College Allied Health programs.
| Jan 17, 2012
SOM Chicago wins competition to design China's Suzhou Center
The 75-level building is designed to accommodate a complex mixed-use program including office, service apartments, hotel and retail on a 37,000 sm site.
| Jan 17, 2012
FxFowle and CO Architects form joint venture
FxFowle and CO Architects creates a dynamic alliance built on a shared dedication to collaboration in process, innovation in programming, and excellence in design.