Value in Inpatient Pediatrics Network

To allow for sustainabiltiy and future growth and allow access of critical resoures to our members (IT, administrative suppport, QI mentor trainining, etc),  the Network clearly needs funding.  The  Steering Committee is currently engaged with a few groups discusssing what business models may work best for our members and the Network.  We would like to hear your input about the below ideas:

1. "Pay to Play":  As you may know,  QI Networks such as the NICU's Vermont Oxford, NACHRI's QI networks/focus groups/case mix data base,etc all use individual member support as part of revenue. For example, NACHRI charges 15k just to be a member and another 15k per FOCUS group.     One option for the VIP Network is charge a fraction of the cost( 2500-5000 annual fee per hospital member) which would allow the network members to access administrative support and IT access.   This is a lot less than other networks, but as hospitalist leaders, do you have a sense whether your  hospital would invest in a physician driven QI network for pediatric hospitalist focused on improving the safety, effectiveness, efficiency, timeliness, and patient centerdness of clinical care.??? Positives: the VIP Network retains its hospitalist-driven (bottoms-up) identity, can move fast on projects, does not merge with any organization...  Negatives-- a sustainable business model?  Will members pay for this service?

2. VIP Network merges with an external  organization that "owns" the network and uses its own resources to access external funding/grants  to help support the network .  Positives: no fee paid by individual members;  Negatives:  as merger of a larger organization that controls funding, risk of losing identity and may not be able to dictate strategy and pace of project development as much as want to

Anyways-- no easy answer-- if you have opinion or other ideas--please let us know

Thx as always for your support