Once Again, the Elves Sing Out.

As regular readers of this column know, every year at this holiday time we ask healthcare leaders to offer one-line comments to the tune of "The 12 Days of Christmas." Many do so (and in fine voice, too!), but this year has a special feel to it, of course--we are on the edge of a new millennium. How close to the edge is debatable, I might add, because some would argue that we should celebrate it in the year 2001. I propose that we ought to revel in both years and consider how fortunate we are to have a second opportunity to be festive. In any event, this new millennium brings with it a sort of suspense, a new beginning, and a chance for change. Although it is shrouded by possible mishaps and ominously named "Y2K," I tend to be more hopeful and say, "Y-NOT-2K"--and, apparently, my colleagues share similar sentiments, as they voice their own wishes for the year 2000:

1 On the first day of Christmas, I hope healthcare gives to me: "A computer that is problem-free."

Eli Pick, Certification Chair, American College of Health Care Administrators

2 On the second day of Christmas, I hope healthcare gives to me: "2 new funding systems."

Susanne Sonik, Director of the Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care Section, American Hospital Association 

3 On the third day of Christmas, I hope healthcare gives to me: "3 thankful clients."

Tony Scaletta, Director National Accounts, Cardinal Health, Inc.

4 On the fourth day of Christmas, I hope healthcare gives to me: "4 good outcomes."

Chris MacDonell, Director of Medical Rehabilitation and Adult Day Care Divisions, The Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission (CARE)

5 On the fifth day of Christmas, I hope healthcare gives to me: "5 more-stock--splits."

Laura Hyatt, MBA, President, Hyatt and Associates

6 On the sixth day of Christmas, I hope healthcare gives to me: "6 votes for reform."

Lori Pelliccioni, JD, MPH, Director of Healthcare Litigation Support, Price-waterhouseCoopers

7 On the seventh day of Christmas, I hope healthcare gives to me: "7 nurses in Congress."

Rita Gallagher, PhD, Senior Policy Fellow, Department of Nursing Practice, the American Nurses Association 

8 On the eighth day of Christmas, I hope healthcare gives to me: "8 added home-years."

Steven Barlam, LCSW, Executive Vice-President, LivHOME)

9 On the ninth day of Christmas, I hope healthcare gives to me: "9 payers paying."

Shahab Dadjou, MBA, Vice-President, Sutter Health

10 On the tenth day of Christmas, I hope healthcare gives to me: "10 grants-a-gettin'."

Monika White, PhD, CEO, Center for Healthy Aging

11 On the eleventh day of Christmas, I hope healthcare gives to me: "11 judgments reversed."

Kevin Cornish, Partner, Healthcare Litigation Advisory Services, Ernst & Young, LLP 

12 On the twelfth day of Christmas, I hope healthcare gives to me: "12x the strokes prevented."

Harold W. "Pete" Todd, President, National Stroke Association

All together now: 12x the strokes prevented, 11 judgments reversed, 10 grants-a-gettin', 9 payers paying, 8 added home-years, 7 nurses in Congress, 6 votes for reform, 5 more-stock--splits, 4 good outcomes, 3 thankful clients, 2 new funding systems, And a computer that is problem-free!

Since this issue of Nursing Homes/Long Term Care Management focuses on a retrospective look at long-term and post-acute care, it's worth noting that our elves' comments are based on history. Our experiences provide the fabric from which we weave our perceptions. Or, as English poet and historian Stephen Spender described it, "History is the ship carrying living memories into the future." My thanks to our chorus for giving us quick glimpses of healthcare history in the making. Happy Holidays!

Laura Hyatt is president of Hyatt and Associates, Los Angeles, California.