Kester Freeman

Kester Freeman is retired CEO of Palmetto Health, the largest integrated healthcare delivery system in South Carolina. Palmetto Health includes a regional teaching hospital and tertiary center as well as two acute care hospitals. The system also manages two rural hospitals and various other entities.

In 2004, Freeman spearheaded the creation of Health Sciences South Carolina, a healthcare research collaborative to improve the health and economic wellbeing of the state’s residents through a coordinated effort to advance health sciences research and education. The collaborative includes the Greenville Hospital System, the Medical University of South Carolina, Palmetto Health, Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, the University of South Carolina and Clemson University.

Freeman remains actively involved in healthcare as a consultant, serving as member of the American Hospital Assocation’s Mental Health Task Force and as founding chairman of the South Carolina Hospital Association’s Universal Coverage Work Group.

This information appears at the Action for Better Healthcare blog.

What health reform looks like in the real world
By Kester Freeman | 05:24 pm | November 18, 2009
A handful of hospitals are in the process of reforming healthcare and these changes are happening now, without any mandates from Washington. Imagine that!
What we can learn from veterans hospitals
By Kester Freeman | 01:24 am | October 29, 2009
Despite what some people say, veterans hospitals are not all bad. In fact, when it comes to going digital, veterans hospitals lead the way.
Why you need to support mandated health coverage
By Kester Freeman | 11:39 am | October 21, 2009
It really baffles my mind when I hear people saying they do not support mandated health coverage. I think many of these people are misinformed about the concept.
Clearing up conflicts of interest in healthcare
By Kester Freeman | 12:15 pm | September 09, 2009
In accordance with what Mike and Ed have previously pointed out on healthcare alliances, I, too, am utterly dismayed at the allegations of nefarious goings-on within these organizations.
Senator Ted Kennedy’s healthcare legacy
By Kester Freeman | 12:32 pm | August 31, 2009
One of Sen. Edward Kennedy’s lasting legacies will be his championing of comprehensive health insurance reform.
Agreement over healthcare reform? There’s a first time for everything.
By Kester Freeman | 12:55 pm | May 14, 2009
For the first time in modern history, there is truly a consensus building around universal coverage in this country.
Reinventing or repurposing: Which is right for healthcare reform?
By Kester Freeman | 04:46 pm | March 17, 2009
I was thoroughly affected by the recent article “Getting there from here,” in which Dr. Atul Gawande describes how we must build upon the healthcare systems we currently have here in the U.S. rather than try to blow up the model and create a brand new system.
"If healthcare were run like retail…" It isn't, nor can it be (part V)
By Kester Freeman | 02:20 pm | January 17, 2009
Continuing from yesterday's entry in which I address Regina Herzlinger's article If healthcare were run like retail..., we come to point number 5: "Individuals get generous tax breaks to buy their own insurance, with subsidies for those with low incomes."
"If healthcare were run like retail…" It isn't, nor can it be (part IV)
By Kester Freeman | 09:46 am | January 16, 2009
I don't see how a national price list is going to help consumers to make more informed choices.
"If healthcare were run like retail…" It isn't, nor can it be (part III)
By Kester Freeman | 06:44 pm | January 14, 2009
"Small, disease-specific hospitals care for patients who don’t need all the services offered by medical centers." This point I find of utmost interest from one who believes healthcare ought to be run like retail.