In a recent article in the News Tribune on March 16th, Marshall H. Tanick discussed Essentia CEO Dr. David Herman’s presentation where he highlighted the flaws of our current healthcare system. As someone who has read Herman’s column, I found his perspective on value-based care being crucial for comprehensive care to be particularly compelling.
In the 2023-2025 Regional Community Health Needs Assessment, Essentia identified mental health as one of the top three health concerns in the area. However, it was noted that there has been a lack of investment in holistic care, specifically in mental health services. I completely agree with Herman’s statement that “If you want something different, you need to do something different.” In order to truly adopt value-based care, we must address all aspects of a person’s health, including mental health.
Moving forward, I hope that Essentia and other local health systems prioritize investments in comprehensive mental health services. By taking proactive steps to address these needs, we can create a more inclusive and effective healthcare system for all individuals in our community. It is important that we recognize the importance of mental health and take action to ensure that everyone has access to the care they need.
