Latest news with #regionalhealth
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Virtua Health and ChristianaCare are discussing a new nonprofit venture. What we know.
Virtua Health and ChristianaCare are in talks to co-found a new regional nonprofit health system that would provide care to more than 600 sites in New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Maryland. The two health care players, based in Marlton, New Jersey and Wilmington, Delaware, signed a non-binding letter of intent to explore the idea of the co-founded health system, according to a July 16 joint press release. If established, the new health system would not only serve more than 10 contiguous counties throughout the states, but would also support nearly 30,000 employees, plus 500 residents and fellows through academic programs, the press release said. More: What's happening with the Olsen Building, a landmark in Camden's Waterfront South? In addition, the prospective system includes a proposed maternal risk program to support more than 15,000 mothers and babies yearly. Dennis W. Pullin, president and chief executive officer of Virtua Health, called the signing an "exciting first step" in the release. "We see this as a unique opportunity to shape the future of care in this region with innovation and intention," Pullin said. Janice E. Nevin, president and chief executive officer of ChristianaCare shared this same sentiment. "At a time of great uncertainty in health care, ChristianaCare and Virtua Health have the foresight and courage to explore what is possible," Nevin said. The partnership is one that health network executives said has the potential to "multiply excellence" in the sector by making health care easier to navigate, more personalized and convenient, building on the expertise from both Virtua Health and ChristianaCare. The announcement also comes as U.S. President Donal Trump's latest legislation package, dubbed the "Big, Beautiful Bill," threatens health care coverage across the country with cuts to Medicaid and Medicare funding. In the press release, George N. Foutrakis, chair of the ChristianaCare Health System Board, addressed the hardships being faced within the realm of health and patient care. "Our vision for this new health system — when Medicare and Medicaid are facing cuts and many hospitals are struggling to stay open — gives me hope and excitement for our future and for the health of our neighbors," Foutrakis said. Though the co-signed letter of intention is non-binding, representatives of both networks seem hopeful in the potential of this new vision. Moving forward, the release stated, both Virtua Health and ChristianaCare will operate separately and independently while continuing to negotiate, seek regulatory approvals and sign various definitive agreements. Kaitlyn McCormick writes about trending issues and community news across South Jersey for the Courier-Post, The Daily Journal and the Burlington County Times. If you have a story she should tell, email her at kmccormick@ And subscribe to stay up to date on the news you need. This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Virtua Health, ChristianaCare in talks for new regional health system Solve the daily Crossword
ABC News
25-06-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Medical student body calls for urgent review of rural doctor placement scheme
The peak body for medical students says a government program mandating newly graduated doctors work in regional areas is flawed and in urgent need of review. The Bonded Medical Program (BMP) offers Commonwealth-supported places in medical courses at Australian universities. In return, participants must complete three years of service in eligible regional, rural or remote areas within 18 years of graduating, in a bid to ease staff shortages in locations that may otherwise struggle to attract doctors. However, only 13 per cent of the nearly 17,000 participants have completed their return of service (ROS) obligation since the program began in 2001, despite the federal government investing more than $170 million over its first 20 years. The Australian Medical Students' Association (AMSA) said changing life circumstances are prompting many participants to rescind their commitment, which requires them to pay out the cost of their course. "We've had consultants come to us and express how challenging it is to fulfil their ROS obligation and are asking us to advocate on their behalf," advocacy officer Sparsh Tiwari said. "We've had a couple of situations where the stress of the ROS obligations has been quite severe." Griffith University medical student Taylor Cabassi may soon face that dilemma. After years of hard work, the Townville local accepted a bonded place at a Sunshine Coast campus. But two years later, she says personal changes have made it difficult for her to relocate, leaving her unsure whether she will be able to fulfil the obligation. She also plans to specialise in forensic pathology, which has limited training and job opportunities outside of major cities. "I'd only be able to work in Brisbane, Gold Coast or Townsville," Ms Cabassi said. Ms Cabassi is one of many students concerned about completing the obligation too early in their careers. "It was one of those things where I thought, 'Oh, I'll just figure it out,' but then that's also a lot of time for things to change," she said. The concerns come as many regional, rural and remote areas struggle to recruit and retain doctors. Competition is so severe that some towns have resorted to so-called "bidding wars", offering huge salary packages and, in some cases, free housing to attract doctors from cities. The shortages are having consequences for health provision, with people living in the most under-served areas receiving about a third fewer specialist services than their peers in areas with better coverage, according to a report by the Grattan institute. Rural Doctors Association of Australia CEO Peta Rutherford agreed the bonded program had potential but said it needed to better support students who commit before making serious career decisions. "When you're looking at your return of service obligations, they're happening later in your training pathway or later in your career," Ms Rutherford said. "That becomes really difficult when you've settled, you've got a partner who works, or you've got kids in school." The scheme has had multiple revisions — including more time to complete the obligation and flexible work options — but the AMSA hopes to conduct research that will guide further evidence-based reform. As it stands, Mr Tiwari questioned whether the program fostered long-term rural staff retention. "Yes, you can push people for three years into a rural site but at the end of the day, to what extent does that solve the workforce shortages?" Mr Tiwari asked. "We know that based on previous studies and audits there's been a low expression of interest in actually remaining and sustaining rural ties." Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said rebuilding general practice is a top priority, with new incentives and payments introduced to support rural doctors. "We're seeing a rush of new doctors joining the health system, with more doctors joining in the last two years than at any time in the past decade," he said. Ms Rutherford said one cause of the recent decline in doctors choosing to work rurally was government changes to classifications that rank the remoteness of locations and their need for doctors. However, the changes mean bonded graduates and internationally trained doctors or medical graduates can fulfil their obligation to work in areas of need that are much closer to metropolitan centres. "We acknowledge that outer metropolitan areas have workplace pressures; they need GPs, particularly in bulk-billing services," Ms Rutherford said. "That's OK, but only if the policies are being ramped up to incentivise people going to rural and remote locations. "Because when all things are equal, it's really easy to stay in the city as a doctor."
