Avera officials looking at changes in health care

YANKTON, S.D. (WNAX) – While there may be consensus that health care is too expensive and needs reform, there is no agreement on how to do that.

Doug Ekeren, President of Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, says they are working to make changes.

Ekeren says one of the cost drivers is the number of people who don’t have a primary medical care provider, and go to the emergency room instead.

Ekeren says they, along with other medical providers, have been working on improving outcomes.

Ekeren says Avera Sacred Heart now has about 1,300 employees in the area.