UR Risk LLC

As a Houstonian, I felt compelled to share this LinkedIn post from Chris Deacon. For those of you that don't know, in my profession I work with employers and employees to get the best healthcare for their money. Our current healthcare system is rigged against employers, employees, plan members, and patients. There are numerous contributors to the high cost of healthcare, resulting in a "profits before patients" reality. This is just another example.

Memorial Hermann is one of the dominant health systems here in the Houston area. And according to their website:

"Memorial Hermann Health System is a non-profit, values-driven, community-owned health system dedicated to improving health."

So, based on this, how exactly does the $70,000,000 spent on promoting their system with the Houston Rockets benefit the community and improve health? If they are community-owned, as they say, I have to wonder if the community would support this expenditure versus putting it toward supporting the community and reducing the cost of care.

$70,000,000 would go a long way to help a lot of people. And to Chris's point, most likely have a significant impact on medical debt in our area.

The other point that I think is ironic, is that this is another "Non-profit" that is constantly saying they aren't making Money, that Medicare doesn't pay them enough, etc., etc. But somehow they have $70,000,000 to spend on an endorsement deal with the Rockets.

Which leads to the questions, how much will the cost of healthcare with Memorial Hermann increase to cover this $70,000,000 luxury expense.

As Peter Hayes put it in the comments below, "The $70 million is a direct health care tax to every patient. There is no free lunch. The $70 million ultimately comes out of patients' pockets without any increase in the value (cost and quality) of the healthcare they deliver to that community."

Chris Deacon on LinkedIn: While Memorial Hermann Health System is spending $70M for the privilege to… | 22 comments While Memorial Hermann Health System is spending $70M for the privilege to have its name grace an NBA jersey, many Houstonians are drowning in medical debt.… | 22 comments on LinkedIn

Here's another great example of our congressmembers trying to regulate something they don't understand. In this case, Se. Sanders is beating his chest about accomplishing something that will most likely lead to the opposite result of what he thinks it will. He considers "possible" price reductions in exchange for access to a broader market a success.

Look deeper, understand how the numbers work.

Chris Deacon on LinkedIn: Sanders, Novo Nordisk CEO clash over Ozempic, Wegovy drug prices | 10 comments An Open Letter to Senator Sanders: On this point, you are wrong. There’s no question that many of your efforts over the years have been instrumental in… | 10 comments on LinkedIn