Nashville General expanding access to incentive program

By Tribune Staff NASHVILLE, TN — Measuring the success of Nashville based on data such as median income, economic growth, cultural diversity and population expansion creates a very positive picture. Yet, despite this surface-level view, people are still struggling with barriers to accessible healthcare, putting the city’s growing popularity and positive reputation at risk. The impact of a person’s zip code on their health outcomes can be as significant as genetic or lifestyle factors. In Tennessee, a glaring gap in healthcare access exists, as more than 36% of the state’s population, approximately 2.5 million people, live in areas designated as “healthcare deserts” – regions that lack essential services, including pharmacies, primary care, hospitals, and emergency services.& Nashville General Hospital CEO Dr. Joseph Webb,& D.Sc., FACHE, and more than a dozen elected officials across the state and at the federal level met to discuss the state of healthcare in Tennessee, including healthcare outcomes, access to health services and legislation that would benefit the community. This year State Representative Jason Powell first introduced legislation to the Tennessee House, and sponsored by Senator Heidi Campbell in the Senate, one of the few bipartisan bills that passed unanimously in the 113th Tennessee General Assembly.&...