Baylor Scott & White - Big Business in Temple

Dr. Robert Pryor, President and CEO of Baylor Scott & White Health, was the guest speaker for the January 9, 2014, Temple Rotary Club meeting. Dr. Prior reviewed the merger of the Baylor Health Care System and Scott & White Healthcare. A short video was shared and can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeRDg4wWAaY. The new, combined organization, Baylor Scott & White Health, creates the largest not for profit healthcare system in the State of Texas and is now one of the largest in the nation. It consists of  43 hospitals, 500 patient care sites, 6,000 physicians, and 34,000 employees. It is an $8 billion organization serving approximately 10 million people.

Dr. Pryor also discussed the Affordable Care Act. He shared that the United States healthcare system looks like it does today as a result of Medicaid, which started in the 1960s. Changes to the current healthcare system are needed to solve the problem of providing healthcare assistance to the uninsured. In addition, other factors such as the kinds of services provided and fee structures are in need of change.

Healthcare costs are currently 19% of America’s gross domestic product and needs to be below 15%. The merger of the Baylor Health Care System and Scott & White Healthcare will provide the opportunity for greater influence and impact on changes to the country’s current practices regarding health care.