Healthcare facility feasibility analysis

Questions

1. What does the environment of Middleboro look like?

According to the case study materials the environment of Middleboro is calm, tranquil and sanguine. As a much smaller town the overall population is very smalls as compared to many of the neighboring cities and jurisdictions. Due to its smaller size the overall town is much more collectivistic and familial in nature

2. What specific problems or issues does the community face?

As a smaller town, the community faces many of the more common issues with other cities which are related to taxation, budgets, and economic considerations. From a tax perspective, raising local taxes to fund promising but risky projects is a highly contentious subject. Household incomes in the areas are at or below the median household income for the nation. As a result, higher taxes would place a disproportionate amount of the burden on hard-working middle-class families. In addition, the community faces problems related to economic activity within the community. As a smaller town, the community relies heavily on just a handful of industries. As the COVID-19 pandemic showed, these industries can come to halt at a moments notices creating severe economic pressures not only for the community but for the businesses within it. Finally, the community must grapple with social issues related to education, waste management, infrastructure, and other important elements (Allison, 2004).

3. What does the community look like? A primary question is whether Middleboro can support two hospitals, Middleboro Community and Webster Hospitals, now or in the future. Consider the questions in the following areas as well and support responses with peer-reviewed sources:

The question is difficult to answer given the case information provided. From outside research we know that Middleboro has a vastly aging population as compared to the average town and city its size. In addition, from outside research, we know that healthcare costs account for roughly 16% of the national GDP. In addition, healthcare costs are rising are expected to become 20% of GDP by the end of the decade or roughly $5 Trillion. Middleboro has a population of roughly 9K people. The population growth in the city roughly 1% per year. The median household income in the city is roughly $65,000 per year. As a result, we can expect total income in the area to be $585,000,000. If 16% is spent on healthcare costs, similar to the nation average, that leaves $93,600,000 in total income that can used on healthcare. Given that the population is aging it is plausible that two hospitals can be supported in the community. However, to be conservative, it would be better to simply have one hospital in the town given its low population and lower incomes relative to other cities (Clark, 1987).

A. Demographically

1. What are key demographic factors and related statistics that are of importance to the business of health care delivery?

The first demographic factor that is important is age. Age has a very high correlation to health-related illness and expenditures. It is also heavily correlated to the amount of healthcare services required to maintain a certain standard of living. As older individuals also have less debt this bodes well for their capacity to pay higher healthcare costs in the future. Another important demographic factor is also race. Although uncomfortable, certain races require certain treatment as they are much more susceptible to certain diseases. African Americans are much more likely to contract sickle cell anemia than their white counterparts. Asians, are also susceptible to different diseases as compared to their African-American counterparts. As a result, race can provide a clue as to what healthcare treatments will be needed in the future.

2. Assess the implications of your findings related to the business of the delivery of health services in the area.

The delivery of healthcare services in the Middleboro community is undergoing fundamental change. Here, aspects such as telemedicine, telehealth, and online distribution channels are beginning to emerge with the community. This is particularly true as COVID-19 contributed many healthcare services due to capacity constraints. As a result, consumers became much more familiar with online distribution networks that ultimately will determine the manner in which health services are delivered in the future. This could potentially lower healthcare costs, improve outcomes, and save lives.

B. Geographically

1. Are there any important factors to note about the geography of Middleboro?

The important factors to the note relative to the geography of Middleboro is its locations relative to other cities on the coast. Due to its locations, it is the second largest municipality is Massachusetts. It is very near Rhode Island and other states creates ease of cross border commerce. Its rivers also flow in two separate directions which heavily influences commerce and trade by boat.

2. Are there any local factors and/or issues that could have a significant impact on the local quality and cost of medical care and the population’s ability to access and use the local healthcare system?

The fist major factor, as indicated earlier is age. Age has a very strong correlation to healthcare services provided and the overall willingness to spend on them. The next factor is income which determines the amount an individual can comfortably spend on healthcare expenditures with a given year. The next factor or issue is taxes. Many people still do not use HSA’s and other tax deferred vehicles for their medical expenditures. As a result, taxes directly impact an individual’s ability to pay for healthcare expenditures. High taxes can actually deter expenditures on routine or otherwise unnecessary costs. Quality of care is also impacted by the level of innovation within the city. Innovation allows adoption of news services designed to help reduce expenditures and improve outcomes.

C. Politically

1. What should be known about the political structure of Middleboro?

The city is heavily Republican and is much more conservative in their political views. They have typical democratic elections governed by majority rule. Through representative government, the town often conducts open town meetings to form government. There is also a town manager and board of selectmen, which serve in same capacity as a board of directors. From a political view, elected officials are delegated to perform duties related to police, fire, education, waste management and other social services (Brown, 1978).

2. Identify and discuss the most significant regulatory and legal issues related to the Middleboro healthcare community?

The most important regulatory and legal issues are centered around services demand and the manner in which to pay for them. Business incentives, education, and other social services are demanded in Middleboro. This has rippling effects on the healthcare community as it relates to services being rendered. In particular the embrace to telehealth and telemedicine are critical to limiting costs and increasing healthcare efficiencies