Dr. Niran Al-Agba

A Mountain of Evidence Against Hospital Consolidation

As an independent physician in private practice, I care a great deal about our people, our patients, and healthcare delivery in Kitsap County. The fact hospital consolidations do not economically benefit patients is backed by a mountain of scientific evidence. While those in charge may decide merging is ultimately the best course of action, it will be imperative we stand up as a unified community and hold CHI accountable for ensuring the cost savings they have promised materialize.

Niran Al-Agba2020-05-14T03:38:20+00:00April 18, 2017|Categories: Patient, Policy|Tags: ACA, Affordable Care, CHI, Franciscan Health, Health Policy, Patient Advocacy, Rural Care, Sunshine Act, Surprise Billing|

#BoycottUnited Airlines for Condoning Unrepentant Violence

If we as a nation lose sight of our humanity, we will lose everything for which we stand. Corporations are not people. We should bring United Airlines to their knees until they truly comprehend the damage they have done, mentally, physically, and emotionally to this innocent 69 year old physician and man. United Airlines should do more than apologize profusely; they should ask forgiveness of Dr. Dao, his family, our nation, and the world.

Niran Al-Agba2020-05-14T03:37:18+00:00April 14, 2017|Categories: Equality, Physician|Tags: Discrimination, United Airlines, Violence|

You’ve Got Facility Fees!

Studies continually show small clinics provide better quality care for lower cost, have fewer hospital admissions, and keep patients healthier than the hospital-based clinics. We must eliminate the onerous facility fee to level the playing field, eliminate the incentive for hospitals to create monopolies, and save Americans 100s of billions of dollars per year.

Niran Al-Agba2020-05-14T03:35:12+00:00April 11, 2017|Categories: Patient, Policy|Tags: Affordable Care, Consolidation, Corporatization, Health Policy, Hospitals, Patient Advocacy, Surprise Billing, Transparency|

“Let Obamacare Explode”

Physicians care deeply about our patients and our communities. Physicians must ensure they have input on the next healthcare go-around. Meaningful healthcare reform will require pragmatism, diligence, compromise, and patience. Working across the aisle is vital to developing better health care legislation for the American people.

Niran Al-Agba2020-05-14T03:34:06+00:00April 4, 2017|Categories: Patient, Policy|Tags: ACA, Affordable Care, Consolidation, Corporate Medicine, Corporatization, Hospitals, Obamacare, Transparency|

Dr. Noseworthy and the AHCA: A Tipping Point

The CEO of the Mayo Clinic, Dr. Noseworthy, was last heard recommending patients fire their physicians suffering from burnout. While he does not have truckloads of compassion or empathy for colleagues; he is, at least, honest. Dr. Noseworthy recently confessed “We’re asking…if the patient has commercial insurance, or they’re Medicaid or Medicare patients and they’re equal that we prioritize the commercial insured patients enough so… We can be financially strong at the end of the year to continue to advance our mission.” The ‘ailing’ nonprofit generated a paltry $475 million last year.

Niran Al-Agba2020-05-14T03:32:56+00:00March 28, 2017|Categories: Policy|Tags: ACA, Affordable Care, Corporatization, Government Medicine, Hospitals, Obamacare, Transparency|

Price Transparency and All Its Warts

Legislators in more than 30 states have proposed legislation to promote price transparency, with most efforts focused around publishing average or median prices for hospital services. Some states already have price transparency policies in place. California requires hospitals to give patients cost estimates for the 25 most common outpatient procedures. Texas requires providers to disclose price information to patients upon request. Ohio passed price transparency legislation last year; however a lawsuit filed by the Ohio Hospital Association has delayed implementation. The cost of a knee replacement is $15,500 at the Surgery Center of Oklahoma, whereas the national average is $49,500.

Niran Al-Agba2020-05-14T03:31:16+00:00March 14, 2017|Categories: Patient, Policy|Tags: ACA, Affordable Care, Corporatization, Hospitals, Obamacare, Transparency|

Costs of a Hospital Monopoly in Underserved Counties

There is a growing body of evidence that hospital mergers lead to higher prices for consumers, employers, insurance, and government overall. It is imperative to educate patients and lawmakers as to how the consolidation of hospitals and medical practices raise costs, decrease access, eliminate jobs, and ultimately reduce care quality as a result. Lawmakers should focus on this “first pillar” of cost control as they go back to the drawing board.

Niran Al-Agba2020-05-14T03:30:18+00:00March 7, 2017|Categories: Policy|Tags: ACA, Affordable Care, CHI, Corporatization, Franciscan Health, Hospitals, Rural Care, Surprise Billing, Transparency|

Blood, Guts, and MACRA

DR-Exit: Sean MacStiofain said “most revolutions are caused… by the stupidity and brutality of governments.” Regulation without legitimacy, predictability and fairness always leads to backlash instead of compliance. If something is not done to stop MACRA implementation, more physicians will opt-out of Medicare and Medicaid than is fathomable. Once DRexit begins, there will be no turning back.

Niran Al-Agba2020-05-14T03:29:09+00:00February 28, 2017|Categories: Policy|Tags: Affordable Care, Consolidation, DRexit, Hospitals, MACRA, MIPS, Physician Autonomy, Rural Care|

Gaming the System: Pediatrics, Mammograms, and MACRA

Imagine what quality metrics the pediatric cardiac surgeon is going to track. He would do well to collect statistics on how often he images patients for appendicitis because it is likely a rare occurrence. Things are really looking up for the use of data and technology in healthcare. Costs are likely to keep rising with everyone scoring in the 99th% percentile once they figure out how to game the system. But we certainly cannot stand in the way of science or progress now can we?

Niran Al-Agba2020-05-14T03:27:54+00:00February 21, 2017|Categories: Policy, Practice|Tags: ACA, Affordable Care, MACRA, MIPS, Physician Autonomy, Transparency, Value-based Care|

Physician Suicide: We Must Stop Losing Our Own

Among female physicians, the relative risk of suicide is 2.3 times greater than the general female population. Each and every tragic loss of a female colleague should be honored as if we lost a part of ourselves. Their struggles must become ours; their survival is imperative for us all. If you are struggling, please know, we are here, we are listening, and we care.

Niran Al-Agba2020-05-14T03:26:56+00:00February 14, 2017|Categories: Physician|Tags: Burnout, Human Rights Abuse, Mental Health Disorders, Physician Suicide|

The Politics of Healthcare from the Front Lines