WASHINGTON, March 7 /PRNewswire/ -- The founder and chief executive officer of Ion Health Holdings today told a group of more than two dozen other CEOs that he expects a consolidation in the marketplace in the next several years, with new government initiatives fueling the acquisition of smaller local and regional health plans.
Ion Health CEO Anthony Horbal says the Federal government’s efforts to streamline Medicare and Medicaid plans into multi-state contracts will lead to what he referred to as the “Powerball effect” in the way states deal with managed healthcare organizations (MCOs), much like they already cooperate with their lotteries. That effect, he predicts, may well lead to larger MCOs buying smaller companies, and offering their services on a regional basis, instead of taking a state-by-state approach.
His remarks were prepared for delivery later today at the National Managed Health Care Congress (NMHCC) here in Washington.
The effect of the consolidation, Horbal says, will be better access to consistently higher-quality healthcare for patients, better delivery of medical services by providers, and significant savings for taxpayers.
Horbal’s remarks will be made at the annual NMHCC, the industry’s leading event connecting healthcare executives across the entire managed care realm to facilitate collaboration for improved business practices, attended annually by more than 5,000 healthcare professionals.
“America needs the leaders of the healthcare industry to collaborate to find new and innovative ways to improve care for everyone,” said Michael McCue, Chair of the Congress’ CEO Forum and Editor-in-Chief of Managed Healthcare Executive magazine. “Chief executive officers like Anthony Horbal are leading that charge and initiating the kinds of discussions that result in better, safer and more cost-effective care. The CEO Forum is a critical step in converting those ideas into results that improve the quality of life for all of us.”
Horbal leads Ion Health Holdings, which owns healthcare plans in Pennsylvania and Ohio. In December, the company announced it had received a private equity commitment of $200 million. In his prepared remarks for today, Horbal also decries what he calls the “purple pill syndrome,” saying that marketing efforts by pharmaceutical companies have been so successful, that patients are now “self-diagnosing” themselves, insisting on more expensive medication to treat a medical condition, when less-costly medicine can be equally, if not more, effective. Healthcare plans like Ion Health, he says, must take the lead in controlling costs, but must not sacrifice quality care in the name of saving money.
About Ion Health Holdings
Ion Health Holdings, Inc. is the parent company of Ion Health, serving the needs of Medicaid-eligible men, women and children, with an emphasis on providing access to high-quality healthcare that benefits its members as well as the communities it serves. More information is available from the company by calling 814.874.3098 or at http://www.ionholdings.com/.
Ion Health Holdings, Inc.
CONTACT: Steve Friedberg of MMI Communications, +1-610-518-7474,steve@mmicommunications.net, for Ion Health Holdings
Web site: http://www.ionholdings.com/