National Governors Association and healthcare

[okhela]

I watched some of the discussion of the NGA on the state of
healthcare and what must be done. I was immediately reminded
of a conversation I had with my primary care physician nearly 20
years ago. He was an excellent doctor and one of the few I've had
in my life I actually listened to. Of course, part of the reason for that
was he took the time to listen to me. But, we talked about his
frustration with the direction of his profession and the financial
pressures he was experiencing.
A few years earlier, my doctor had sold his practice to a larger group.
I don't remember all the fiscal reasons he explained that made the
sale necessary but his practice was seen as desirable. After the sale,
he was confronted by the need to redirect his efforts from providing
the best medical services he could to being a profit center in a larger
corporation. The need to have patients have an appropriate number
of tests and procedures regardless of the cost to justify his existence.
He was the kind of doctor I wanted to be as a young man. Serving his
patients was his primary goal knowing that the monetary rewards would
follow. He was now confronted by a development in his profession
where the focus was profit and care of the patient was secondary.
Preventive care has little profit associated with it yet probably has the
greatest return in terms of both health and savings of money.
The United States doesn't have a healthcare system. It has a health
profit center system. I believe it is time to stop using labels to describe
ways to address the healthcare system. How about a discussion focusing
on what a quality healthcare would do, to start. And then, what do we
need to do to achieve that goal. A conversation focusing on healthcare,
not profit.

[okhela]

I suspect, they reasoned that they were even greater beneficiaries by not paying.
They could always claim any condition you might develop was a pre-existing condition.

[Garooch]

Some years ago, I was leading an unhealthy life, and decided to make some changes. So I decided to go to a nutritionist and a trainer, to learn how to do things better. Of course, there was nothing in my very expensive company sponsored health plan to address these issues (even though the insurANCE companies would be beneficiaries of the change).

Ho Hum, whats new?