Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/718038
7 W e are excited about several developments as we head into the second half of this year. It's a fascinating year in politics, in the economy and in media. 1. The Economy. Long term, the economy seems to be in a "not great" spot. Here are some core signs: • e federal budget deficit grew to a 2-year high in June. • e price of healthcare spending rose at a higher pace in 2015. • Personal incomes have remained stagnant over the last decade or more. • Rates paid to savers are at or near all-time lows. 2. The Political Season. It's an interesting political year. e polls show Clinton ahead but Trump and Clinton nearly tied in many key states. e Wall Street Journal reports: "Overall the surveys show a remarkably unsettled race between two widely disliked contenders. In each state, around 20% of voters said they were either undecided or volunteered that they would support neither Mr. Trump nor Mrs. Clinton." ("Polls: Clinton, Trump Close in Key States, Laura Meckler, Wall Street Journal, July 14, 2016)." As Trump moves to be the nominee, you see either the remaking of the Republican Party or the deeper fracture of a party that was held together with very different core issues that appeal to different factions. As of this writing, he still needs to survive the Republican National Convention. Separately, Hillary has avoided "email" prosecution and has moved on to offer free college tuition for most and obtain the endorsement of Senator Bernie Sanders. It's become almost politically incorrect to note little is really free. I.e., someone must pay for "free" college tuition in some way. Yet I think we all do recognize that the cost of college has gotten out of hand. us, while half-baked concepts at this point on tuition, it's a problem that is moving higher on the list of government priorities. 3. Wimbledon and Theranos - Serena Williams, Andy Mur- ray and Elizabeth Holmes. As we watch Serena Williams' effort to win 22 grand slam titles and Andy Murray also win Wimbledon and be the epitome of deliberate practice and greatness, (speaking on return of serve:, "My game sort of starts there. Since I came on the tour, it's some- thing that I've dedicated a lot of time to. I practice it for 30 minutes ev- ery day." (Wall Street Journal, July, 11, 2016)), I look at two leaders who are more substance than hype. We contrast this with the great downfall of eranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes, where hype and tricks seemed to get ahead of substance. e Wall Street Journal reports: "Silicon Valley investors say Palo Alto, California-based eranos —which was value at $9 billion in 2014 funding round — offers lessons about the importance of oversight and due diligence in the venture-capital business, which bets sometimes on nothing more than an idea. 'For me, the eranos saga is a wonderful reminder: While you want to invest in people who are visionary and are com- mitted to their businesses, you want to partner with people who are truth-seeking,' said health care investor Bryan Roberts, a partner at Venrock. 'A lot of people [involved with eranos] feel down on that in this.'" (Tech Investors Look For Lessons in eranos, Rolfe Winkler, Wall Street Journal, July 14, 2016)." 4. 2017 Annual Meeting. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jay Leno as Keynotes on the Tuesday and Wednesday of That Event. For the 2017 Annual Meeting (April 17th to 20th), aside from more than 230+ great hospital speakers, we have added Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jay Leno as keynote speakers. Mike Dowling, one of my favorite leaders in the world and the CEO of Northwell Health, will also be a keynote speaker. We are also thrilled to have the following great leadership keynote speakers: • Marna Borgstrom, President and CEO, Yale New Haven Health; • Rodney F. Hochman, MD, President and CEO, Providence Health & Services; • Redonda Miller, MD, MBA, President, Johns Hopkins Hospital; • John Jay Shannon, MD, CEO, Cook County Health and Hospitals System; and • Johnese Spisso, MPA, President, UCLA Health, CEO, UCLA Hospi- tal System and Associate, Vice Chancellor of Health Sciences. 5. Becker's ASC 23rd Annual Meeting - The Business and Op- erations of ASCs. For this October, in addition to more than 206 speak- ers we have Pat Riley, Sugar Ray Leonard and Lee Woodruff speaking. Lee is fascinating and will also host our Women's Leadership lunch at the event. 6. 2017 3rd Annual CIO/HIT + Revenue Cycle Meeting – George Bush and 1,500 to 2,000 People. For our 3rd Annual CIO/HIT + Revenue Cycle meeting next July, we have now officially booked President Bush as a keynote speaker. Whether you love or hate President Bush, he is a fascinating person to be with. e audience really enjoyed being with him at our last meeting. 7. 5th Annual CEO + CFO Roundtable – 60 Great CEOs Speaking. For this November's CEO/CFO Roundtable, we have recruited nearly 60 great CEOs to speak. We think it should be a won- derful conference in a smaller setting than our large annual meeting. e magnificent keynotes at the November CEO event include: • Jonathan Bush, President, CEO and Co-Founder, Athenahealth; • Ronald DePinho, MD, President, MD Anderson Cancer Center; • Charles W. Sorenson, MD, President and CEO, Intermountain Healthcare; • Richard Gilfillan, MD, President and CEO, Trinity Health; • Catherine Jacobson, CPA, President and CEO, Froedtert Health; and • Warner omas, President and CEO, Ochsner Health System. 8. 15th Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain - Manage- ment-Driven ASC Conference + The Future of Spine. We are in the process of starting the agenda for next June's Spine and Ortho- pedic Driven ASC + e Future of Spine Meeting. We plan to grow the agenda for that meeting. If you have suggestions for this meeting or any other meeting, please let me know. Should you have any questions or if I can be of help in any manner, please do not hesitate to contact me at sbecker@beckershealthcare.com. I can also be reached at (800) 417-2035. ank you, as always, for reading. Very truly yours, Scott Becker Publisher's Letter