Scott Adams
Reflections of 2017
It is hard to believe I am writing the final Publisher’s Letter for 2017. My plan was to write about the stories we are covering in this issue, but here at the last minute I decided to recap the year.
We spent much of this year writing about MACRA and how to use this payment reform as content to pull your customers closer to you by using it to help improve their businesses. I would like to thank the national distributors and the manufacturers who had me come and speak during your national meetings on this topic. Content selling is the way we will all gain market share going forward.
This year certainly didn’t disappoint in the M&A category. Just like the past several years, we saw over 100 mergers and acquisitions across our industry. While the majority were in the provider arena, there were several notable on our side. Early in 2017 Mortara was acquired by Hill-Rom, followed quickly by Concordance acquiring Rockwell Medical Supply. Then in March, Cardinal acquired the patient product portfolio from Medtronic for $6 billion, and BD acquired Bard for $24 billion. By this point the lab companies were feeling a little left out, so Alere sold Triage to Quidel and set them up to be acquired by Abbott in October. Even Share Moving Media jumped into the mix by acquiring DentalFax. And as we close the year, Owens & Minor announced their intent to acquire Halyard Health. My guess is we will see more of the same in 2018.
When we look to next year, PAMA will be launching in the lab community, and MACRA will be starting to take shape. Between the many acquisitions, payment reform, and the continued push for better patient outcomes, we will all have our work cut out for us in helping the care givers navigate these waters.
As we close this 2017 chapter, I would like to personally thank you, our readers, and the advertisers who support us each year. Repertoire Magazine turns 25 years old in September of 2018, and there is no way we could have done it without you.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays,
Scott Adams
PS: We have a new lab column starting in January written by Mr. Jim Poggi. I am excited for the readership to meet Jim, who is a great guy and has more one liners than each of the drill sergeants in all four branches of the military combined. You’re going to love it, and hopefully sell more lab products than ever next year.
PSS: I am jumping in the deep end of the pool and starting two new content platforms next year. A podcast and a weekly newsletter on events that effect you. Stay tuned.