Dr. Richard Merkin, President and CEO, Heritage Provider Network, Sponsors Community Healthcare Dialogue, Third in a Continuing Series on Healthcare Addressing Issues for the Community

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Jul 28, 2010, 11:55 ET

MARINA DEL REY, Calif., July 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Richard Merkin, President and CEO of Heritage Provider Network sponsored the third in an ongoing Community Healthcare dialogue series discussing the impact of HealthCare Reform Legislation on the Community and the economic implications for small businesses. The event was co-sponsored by The North Valley Chamber of Commerce, The Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce and Regal Medical Group, part of the HPN family. The packed house of attendees listened to influential panelists including Dr. Adam Solomon, Assistant Medical Director, Regal Medical Group, member Heritage Provider Network Family, Mr. Fred Bauermeister, Executive Director of the Free Clinic of Simi Valley and Kerry Carmody the COO, and interim CEO, of the California Region for Providence Health and Services.

The Honorable Assemblyman Cameron Smyth, 38th District, who is a member of the California State Assembly Committee on Health, moderated the panel. The spirited discussion centered on the benefits and impact of Healthcare Reform on the community, including how to keep healthcare costs down while integrating the thousands of newly insured to our distressed hospitals and free clinics. Numerous questions from the audience centered around the implementation of reform, what it means for the individual in Southern California, potential changes in Medicare and access to care.

"We at Regal Medical Group concentrate on quality of care, access to care and affordability of care. By being accountable for the full spectrum of patient needs, we help facilitate the provision of evidence based medical care that is not only efficient, but also is shown to have the best outcomes. This integrates very well into the new legislative directives," said Dr. Adam Solomon, Assistant Medical Director, Regal Medical Group.

"Of the 100 hospitals in and around Los Angeles County, many are really struggling financially," pointed out Kerry Carmody, COO and interim CEO of the California Region for Providence Health and Services. "Balancing care and costs and improving quality, is something we can only do together."

With Los Angeles ground zero in the country for the uninsured, 1 out of every 4 under the age of 65, hospital emergency rooms and free clinics are feeling the pinch.

"Until these regulations for insurance coverage for all are implemented, we will try to extend our care to cover as many patients as we can," said Fred Bauermeister, Executive Director of the Free Clinic of Simi Valley. "The good news is, this legislation implements new technologies for delivery systems like electronic medical records that will make our job much easier, then we can take more patients."

"Our Community Healthcare Dialogue series provides an important opportunity to hear from the community on a critically important issue. No other medical group similar to us is sponsoring these types of events," said Dr. Richard Merkin, President and CEO of Heritage Provider Network. "We are happy to fill the need and help the community understand the changes that our coming in our healthcare delivery system, and continue to look for better ways to provide quality healthcare with feedback from our community and our business leaders."

About HPN:

Heritage Provider Network, Inc. (HPN) is on the cutting edge of the accountable care model of health care delivery: coordinated, patient-doctor centric, integrated health care systems that represent the future of health care in the United States. HPN develops programs and services that are responsive to the healthcare needs of today's patient. HPN designs its networks to offer patients a comprehensive range of medical care in convenient locations. It organizes and manages medical groups and independent practice associations, integrating with hospitals and ancillary care providers. This system represents a workable, successful business model that has been duplicated with medical groups, IPAs and medical facilities throughout California. HPN is dedicated to quality, affordable health care and putting patients' wellness first.

SOURCE Heritage Provider Network, Inc.