Wall Street Analysts Discuss Prospects for Nashville’s Health Care Industry

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, the Nashville Health Care Council hosted a panel discussion featuring leading health care research analysts for an audience of more than 500 health care executives. The annual Wall Street’s View on Prospects for the Health Care Industry program revealed 2013 predictions for many of Nashville’s health care industry niches.

“Reimbursement cuts are expected to impact the health care industry, but in the managed care sector, we see implementation of innovative offerings such as population health management and the use of data analytics as ways to control cost and improve outcomes.”

Today’s discussion was moderated by Turney Stevens, dean, College of Business, Lipscomb University, and included panelists Kevin Fischbeck, director and senior equity research analyst, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Frank Morgan, managing director, RBC Capital Markets, Josh Raskin, managing director, Barclays Capital and A.J. Rice, managing director, UBS.

Click here to view video excerpts of today’s industry predictions.
Click here to view event photos online.

The panel represented diverse sector coverage including hospitals and ambulatory services, managed care, medical devices and long-term care. The analysts cited hospitals and pharmacy benefit management as top sectors for growth over the next year.

“Last year’s Supreme Court decision and election ensured that the Affordable Care Act will move forward, providing clarity and direction for health care companies,” said Fischbeck. “This will create great opportunities but will require providers to evolve their models to become more efficient and move towards coordinated care.”

“Congressional discussions and policymaking regarding the fiscal cliff, the budget ceiling and sequestration will have an impact on performance in the health care sector this year,” said Morgan. “However, it is expected that providers will manage these uncertainties through cost containment and efficiency.”

“We are optimistic for steady growth, especially in the health care facilities area in 2013,” said Rice. “Some providers may see a boost as health care reform legislation is implemented and further opportunities for innovation emerge.”

Raskin added, “Reimbursement cuts are expected to impact the health care industry, but in the managed care sector, we see implementation of innovative offerings such as population health management and the use of data analytics as ways to control cost and improve outcomes.”

As part of the Council’s mission to further establish Nashville as the nation’s health care industry capital, the organization hosts educational programs like the signature “Wall Street’s View” event to provide executives with timely information on key policy trends.

“Nashville is home to 15 publicly-traded health care companies and is a one-of-a-kind center for health care innovation in the U.S.,” said Council President Caroline Young. “Our members continue to be national leaders in setting trends and implementing industry improvements that are later seen across the country. Wall Street looks to Nashville’s health care leaders for industry insight.”

About the Nashville Health Care Council

The Nashville Health Care Council, founded in 1995 as an affiliate of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, is an association of health care industry leaders working together to further establish Nashville’s position as the nation’s health care industry capital. Worldwide, Nashville’s health care industry generates more than 400,000 jobs and $70 billion in annual revenue. The industry is Nashville’s largest and fastest growing employer. For more information on the Council, please visit www.healthcarecouncil.com.