The BHC is all in when it comes to nudging improvements in health care value for commercially-insured populations. The quality and cost performance of a region’s health care system is of critical importance to the people and employers it serves. Health care value is also central to ensuring that a region competes favorably in attracting and maintaining business. Population growth in the U.S. is fairly flat; yet, some U.S. cities report 15-20% growth in recent years. St. Louis is not one of them. Several initiatives are underway to advance the region’s brand and economic engine. Three notable efforts are:

STL Made works to brand St. Louis globally as an inclusive and innovative community undergoing a “renaissance." A three-year, multi-million-dollar effort will highlight the people of the area, encouraging them to tell their stories and share what they like most about living in the region. Connecting with the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership and the St. Louis Regional Chamber, there is strong interest in attracting young talent to the region. STL Made will monitor the community for increases in commercial expansion as an indication of the success of the initiative’s efforts.

St. Louis’ Better Together program seeks to unite St. Louis City and County in ways that preserve the unique personalities of the region’s communities while building an integrated, innovative, and united approach to capturing opportunities and addressing concerns. Conversations paused on May 7th, but keep an eye out for the reinvention of this well-intended endeavor.
 

Global STL aims to attract innovative international companies seeking access to U.S. markets. Their annual summit, featuring “elevator pitches” from potential recruits, will be June 5th, and BHC members are invited. BJC’s new President and CEO, Richard Liekweg, will keynote the event. Anyone wanting to attend the summit is asked to please contact me at lprobst@stlbhc.org.

It is only a matter of time before Medicare or another entity ranks regions on health care value, exposing the impact of variations in safety, quality, and cost of health care on corporate productivity and profitability. Data indicates that with some improvements in safety and quality performance, St. Louis’ health care value would be top tier. Let’s build St. Louis' brand as a high-value health care community - another lever for economic development. 

Warm regards, 

Louise Probst
BHC Executive Director