Episode 300- Ten Resolutions For Health System Leaders

The status quo is expensive, exhausting, and unsustainable—so we set out a practical playbook to do better in 2026. Nathan Kaufman shares ten no‑nonsense resolutions for health system leaders who want measurable outcomes, stronger teams, and smarter payer strategies without falling for vendor hype or wishful thinking.

We get specific about capital discipline and why “mission” can’t justify chronic losses that drain resources from services that actually improve patient care. We talk through what it takes to win the talent war by treating physicians as true partners, then dive into dyad leadership that cuts across supply chain, HR, and IT to remove friction and accelerate results. Culture becomes operational with real-time metrics, fast feedback loops, and leaders spending more time in the field and less time in meetings that signal low trust and unclear decisions.

Payment strategy is front and center. We explain how to use 340B responsibly to close funding gaps, why some value-based schemes are a race to the bottom, and how to negotiate Medicare Advantage so contracts yield at least 100% of Medicare after accounting for administrative burden. Affordability demands that we take significant cost out by removing layers, standardizing clinical pathways, and focusing on core services rather than chasing panaceas like provider-owned health plans or sponsored “research” that flatters a product.

If you’re ready to lead with data, align teams, and make tough calls that protect patient access and quality, this conversation is your roadmap. Subscribe, share with a colleague who needs a dose of operational courage, and leave a review telling us which resolution you’ll tackle first.

Transcript

Welcome To The Healthcare Bridge

SPEAKER_01 0:00

Welcome to this episode of the Healthcare Bridge, where we explore the vital connections shaping our healthcare landscape. Hosted by Nathan Kaufman, Managing Director of Kaufman Strategic Advisors, the Healthcare Bridge is dedicated to improving healthcare delivery by strengthening the strategic and financial performance of healthcare providers. As part of the Common Bridge family, our focus is on fostering insightful, nonpartisan conversations that drive meaningful change in the healthcare industry. We invite you to join us as we build bridges toward a healthier future. The show is available on Substack, YouTube, and your favorite podcast platforms. Search for the Common Bridge and stay connected.

Allocate Scarce Resources By Real Time Data

End The Mission Excuse For Losses

Win The Talent War And Culture

Empower Dyad Leaders Across Silos

Facts Over Hype And Endless Meetings

Smart Payer Strategy: 340B And MA

Cost Out: Layers Down, Standards Up

Focus On Core, Ignore Panaceas

Closing Wishes And Subscribe

SPEAKER_00 0:37

This is Nate Kaufman with the Healthcare Bridge, our final podcast of the year, which is my 10 New Year's resolutions for health system leaders, and I'll try to do this in less than 10 minutes. Number one, given the expected headwinds in 2026, the executives of our health system must be laser focused on appropriately allocating scarce resources to achieve best-in-class benchmarks that are being measured in real time. One cannot manage what they cannot measure in real time. Number two, in the new year, health system leaders must limit the use of the quote mission excuse for underperformance. It's not the mission of an organization to allocate capital to chronically money-losing facilities and services when those funds could be used elsewhere to expand services, improve quality, and reduce cost. Hope is not a strategy. Services and facilities that are chronically underperforming will be evaluated for immediate closure. Number three, a primary goal of every health system will be to attract and retain the best human capital. Our actions will demonstrate our commitment to recruiting and retaining the best physician and other clinical professionals. The health system's culture will be to treat physicians as professional partners and not as WRVU peaceworkers. Number four, leadership is a critical driver of success. To achieve their assigned goals, individual dyad leaders will be given the authority and accountability to work across organizational silos like supply chain and HR and IT, so that those silos actually support the dyad goals rather than derail them. Dyad leaders will be carefully selected for their emotional and clinical intelligence since we recognize that poor leadership cannot be compensated for. Number five, we will promote an agile, cohesive, performance-based culture. In twenty twenty-six, strategy must be based on the best available facts and data, and not on opinions, unproven theories, feelings, or overly optimistic, heroic projections. Number six, leaders will limit meetings and spend more time in the field. As Peter Drucker said, endless meetings aren't a sign of collaboration. They're a sign of low trust and unclear decisions. And we will take advantage of programs such as 340B that close the gap between payments and the cost of providing care. We will avoid value-based payment schemes if they're nothing more than a race to the bottom in disguise. Number eight, we will demand fair rates and terms from Medicare Advantage plans, or we will not contract with those plans. MA plans must yield at least 100% of Medicare after allocating the additional costs associated with their extreme administrative cost burden. Number nine, recognizing that health care is unaffordable, we will be obsessed with taking significant cost out of the system by eliminating multiple administrative layers and standardizing clinical processes and protocols whenever possible. And finally, number 10, we will focus on improving our core services. We will not be distracted by peddlers selling panaceas such as provider-based health plans or corporate-funded academics producing research to support the viewpoints of their benefactors. Well, I hope this will be helpful for you in 2026. Harry and I would like to hope that your families have a happy holiday season and a great new year. Wave goodbye to everybody. Don't bite me.

SPEAKER_01 5:38

Thank you for joining us on this episode of the Healthcare Bridge. We hope you gain valuable insights into how strategic and financial analysis can transform healthcare delivery. Remember, building stronger connections in our healthcare system is a collective effort, and we're honored to be part of that journey with you. Be sure to subscribe and stay tuned for more conversations that aim to bridge gaps and create a healthier future for all. You can find all your healthcare bridge episodes at the Common Bridge on Substack, YouTube, and your favorite podcast platform.