MD Anderson Submits Letter to the Editor of Wall Street Journal

MD Anderson News Release January 17, 2017

Dear Editor:

A reduction in force is something no institution wants to do, and it was something we worked tirelessly to avoid at MD Anderson. The decision was made to safeguard the institution and our ability to invest in our mission to end cancer. And, despite what was reported (“MD Anderson Cancer Center to Lay Off Roughly 5% of Workforce”), there was no single factor on which our decision was based.

Like other health care institutions, MD Anderson faces decreased reimbursement from payors, narrowing of insurance networks and increased denials for services. The reality is health care has changed, and we all must adapt to this new and ever-changing landscape.

Last March, we launched a new electronic health record system that required significant institutional, personnel and time investments. Now we are further optimizing the system to realize productivity gains. Our physicians and clinical care teams should be applauded for their efforts, which have led to improved care coordination and reductions in unnecessary testing.

The entire MD Anderson community has united to ensure we are more efficient while improving our quality and patient satisfaction. We are innovating care delivery models, adopting enabling technologies and diversifying revenue streams.

As the nation’s top hospital for cancer care, we are honored to hold the responsibility of providing the best care possible for cancer patients and their families, and we will uphold that promise for generations to come.
 

R. Dan Fontaine, J.D.
Executive Vice President of Administration and Chief Financial Officer
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston