Well, deep into the dog days of August, it’s hard to hear anything on the radio or television other than the bitter debate surrounding the health reform proposals. It wears me out. Too much anger…too much shouting…too much misinformation…make it go away! We all need to work together to make our healthcare system better!
Actually I don’t think that any reasonable individual has a clue about the content of the final legislation that may eventually be offered in Washington. Certainly, in my opinion, change will come. It has to come. Our current system, for all its strengths, has many flaws, and is slowly falling apart. Let’s get past the blame game: It’s not anybody’s fault. We’re getting older and needing more care. If we live longer, we consume more health care resources. (And we are living longer. This week a report showed our average life expectancy has risen to 78. Amazing as that is, we’re not the oldest living population in the world – Japan holds that honor at 81 years average).
Back to health care reform: while most of us are “satisfied” with our health insurance, most of us are also “concerned” that we could have benefits reduced. And yes, while many people choose to go “bare” and not carry health insurance, many more have lost their benefits, their jobs, their security. I am confident that everybody feels correct in their personal view of healthcare, and what they think needs to be done to improve the model. But I also think that everyone is behaving like the blind men and the elephant – they only see a small, personal part of the much bigger picture. This fact, coupled with the fact that the ongoing debate has morphed into bitter partisan politic, does more to raise blood pressure than to reassure.
Perhaps all the stakeholders - whether legislators, executives, health care workers, insurance companies, hospitals, pharmacies, insured individuals, or the uninsured, need to take a deep breath. There is much to loose if we can’t get health reform correct, and I think we need fresh discussions that will bring balance to the debate. Only through calmer discussion can the truths be manifest. Only through mature dialogue can we reach the compromises that will begin to move us in the right direction – ensuring that we have the resources to meet the health care needs in the communities we serve. Make your voice heard – politely.
Actually I don’t think that any reasonable individual has a clue about the content of the final legislation that may eventually be offered in Washington. Certainly, in my opinion, change will come. It has to come. Our current system, for all its strengths, has many flaws, and is slowly falling apart. Let’s get past the blame game: It’s not anybody’s fault. We’re getting older and needing more care. If we live longer, we consume more health care resources. (And we are living longer. This week a report showed our average life expectancy has risen to 78. Amazing as that is, we’re not the oldest living population in the world – Japan holds that honor at 81 years average).
Back to health care reform: while most of us are “satisfied” with our health insurance, most of us are also “concerned” that we could have benefits reduced. And yes, while many people choose to go “bare” and not carry health insurance, many more have lost their benefits, their jobs, their security. I am confident that everybody feels correct in their personal view of healthcare, and what they think needs to be done to improve the model. But I also think that everyone is behaving like the blind men and the elephant – they only see a small, personal part of the much bigger picture. This fact, coupled with the fact that the ongoing debate has morphed into bitter partisan politic, does more to raise blood pressure than to reassure.
Perhaps all the stakeholders - whether legislators, executives, health care workers, insurance companies, hospitals, pharmacies, insured individuals, or the uninsured, need to take a deep breath. There is much to loose if we can’t get health reform correct, and I think we need fresh discussions that will bring balance to the debate. Only through calmer discussion can the truths be manifest. Only through mature dialogue can we reach the compromises that will begin to move us in the right direction – ensuring that we have the resources to meet the health care needs in the communities we serve. Make your voice heard – politely.
Joe Prosser, M.D.
Chief Quality Officer
Chief Quality Officer
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Right on!
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