Medicare study ranks Missouri in bottom half of states

(Undated) — A study by the non-profit Commonwealth Fund ranks Missouri 34th among states when it comes to Medicare patient outcomes. Commmonwealth Fund President, Dr. Joseph Betancourt says according to most metrics Missouri is doing an average job, but could do better. He says Missouri, like many other states, needs to work on patient care which could prevent hospitalizations. He says financial penalties for hospital re-admissions have incentivized health systems to stress post-hospital care, but notes more could be done. He says there’s growing evidence that patient loneliness is emerging as a key factor leading to discharged patients being re-admitted to the hospital.

“Lack of social connection and particularly for older Americans where both connection related to the importance of