Miriam Weismann, PhD, and students Javier Hernandez Lichtl, Heather Pierce, Denise Harris, Lourdes Boue, and Cathy Campbell Florida International University The first three years of operation of the...

Miriam Weismann, PhD, and students Javier Hernandez Lichtl, Heather Pierce, Denise Harris, Lourdes Boue, and Cathy Campbell

Florida International University

The first three years of operation of the West Kendall Baptist Hospital in Miami provided a “poster child” for efficient and cost-effective health care delivery to the West Kendall community. The 133-bed facility’s mission was to promote the preservation of life by improving the health and well-being of its constituents. WKBH exceeded every budget prediction and showed a profit in year 3; however, with the passage of the Affordable Care Act, the situation changed almost overnight. By the first quarter 2016, WKBH started to lose money in excess of budget predictions, despite its increased patient admissions, careful financial planning, expense reductions, quality service, and excellence in patient care delivery. A serious financial crisis loomed with little relief in sight; the management team was searching for solutions.