I recently viewed the documentary "Sicko" by left-winged Michael Moore. Many feel this movie is unfair, biased and lacks a lot of beneficial facts about the health care system in America. However, I felt it truly represented what a lot of middle to low class families experience every day with their medical bills and hospital visits: frustration and overwhelming sadness. Much needs to be done to reform our health care system, including push from our new president. However, as much as President Obama wants to see new proposals and change in our system, he said that most of the legislation and ideas will need to come from Congress.
But what can be done within the health care workforce? For one, those that currently work in health care, and those, like myself, and many of my peers are going to school for right now, need to maintain an open mind about a health care overhaul that needs to take place immediately. A proposal that most likely will be introduced is that workers in the health care system may need to take a pay cut in order to accomodate all of those who need care, yet keep the care at a high quality rate. This is a small price to pay so that people can receive equal health care around the clock and not have to worry about going bankrupt. This is also something that can happen while still being able to use the great technology that our country has. However, if you examine the current programs in countries such as Canada, Switzerland, Great Britain and Germany, the U.S. clearly does not need the latest and greatest technology right away.
Another thing that workers can do is model after the British in preventive medicine and care. As documnted in the PBS Frontline special, "Sick Around the World," Great Britain is leading the world in preventive care. Not only would an increase in this kind of care reduce hospital visits and cost for medications, but it would allow workers to build better relationships with the patients. By thoroughly communicating with patients about proper hygiene, safe sex and drug use, dental care, and other daily health activities, workers will be doing their job, and not feel the consequences of overcrowded clinics and hospitals. This will ultimately result is less stress, overtime hours and worker and patient dissatisfaction.
Citations:
Reinhardt, Uwe E. Defining ‘Health Care Reform’. 27 March 2009. Economix Blog. The New York Times. Retrieved online 30 March 2009. <http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/27/defining-health-care-reform/>.
Moore, Michael. Sicko. Dog Eat Dog Films. 2007. Retrieved online 30 March 2009. <http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=6646340600856118396&ei=-ybRSdfeJ5DQ-AGZ1J2SAg&q=sicko>.
Sick Around the World. Frontline. 15 April 2008. PBS. Retrieved online 30 March 2009. <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/video/flv/generic.html?s=frol02p101&continuous=1>.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
Health Care Reform Proposal 2
“Overall reform needs to begin by encouraging all health care providers, purchasers, consumers, and policy makers to think in terms of health agenda rather than a healthcare financing agenda”, Wisconsin Nurses Association. The United States is home to the best medical technology and best doctors in the world. Unfortunately, their services are a luxury that many Americans cannot afford. It is the responsibility of not only President Obama and Congress, but anyone that feels they can contribute their knowledge, time, or money to this long awaited change in American society. It is important to remember that when reforming the health care system that it will take some give and take from everyone. We will not be able to move forward without cooperation from everyone involved. As stated in reform 1, preventive care is the key to a successful health care reform. But, there many other actions that must be taken to have a successful health care reform.
The insurance and drug companies need to realize that making a profit and doing what is best for their companies is not what is best for the American population as a whole. Legislation should prevent insurers from overcharging doctors for their malpractice insurance and invest in proven strategies to reduce preventable medical errors. By reducing these preventable medical errors patients will have more confidence in their health system and money will be saved over time by preventing such errors.
In 2006 Massachusetts enacted a law that required all residents of the state to carry health insurance which dramatically dropped their total number of uninsured residents. The Massachusetts Health Care Reform Plan addresses one critical component of health care reform -- insurance coverage. Without an adequate supply of primary care physicians, however, the plan cannot guarantee timely access to care, creating a gap between coverage and actual provision of services. As a result, waiting times to see a primary care physician can amount to weeks and even months in some instances. It is clear to see that if our entire nation adopted a similar plan that our need for more primary care physicians would increase significantly. The government would need to put in place more scholarships and incentives to attract people to this field.
While all of the topics are important we feel that it is especially important to focus on the reform of the health care system paying close attention to the health care workforce. Physicians have an insight to the health care system like nobody else. It is crucial that we listen to their needs and ideas to improve the health care system inside and out. Administration should also be closely looked at to promote cost awareness in billing and reimbursement systems.
(2005). The Wisconsin Nursing Community Agenda for Health Care Reform. Retrieved March 16, 2009, from Nursing's Agenda For Health Care Reform Web site: http://www.wisconsinnurses.org/docs/WI%20Nursing%20Community%20AgendaFINAL.pdf
The Agenda-Health Care. Retrieved March 14, 2009, from The White House Web site: http://www.whitehouse.gov/agenda/health_care/
Arvantes, J (2008). Lack of Primary Care Physicians May Derail Health Care Reform Initiative . Retrieved March 16, 2009, from AAFP Web site: http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/publications/news/news-now/professional-issues/20080130massachusettsreform.html
Gov. Doyle, J (March 11, 2009). Washington Should Look to Wisconsin for Answer to Health Care Reform. Retrieved March 16, 2009, from The Huffington Post Web site: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gov-jim-doyle/washington-should-look-to_b_174107.html
Hatwell, K (2009, March 10). AMA Physicians Work for Health Care Reform. Retrieved March 16, 2009, from AMA Web site: http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/no-index/news-events/physicians-health-care-reform.shtml
The insurance and drug companies need to realize that making a profit and doing what is best for their companies is not what is best for the American population as a whole. Legislation should prevent insurers from overcharging doctors for their malpractice insurance and invest in proven strategies to reduce preventable medical errors. By reducing these preventable medical errors patients will have more confidence in their health system and money will be saved over time by preventing such errors.
In 2006 Massachusetts enacted a law that required all residents of the state to carry health insurance which dramatically dropped their total number of uninsured residents. The Massachusetts Health Care Reform Plan addresses one critical component of health care reform -- insurance coverage. Without an adequate supply of primary care physicians, however, the plan cannot guarantee timely access to care, creating a gap between coverage and actual provision of services. As a result, waiting times to see a primary care physician can amount to weeks and even months in some instances. It is clear to see that if our entire nation adopted a similar plan that our need for more primary care physicians would increase significantly. The government would need to put in place more scholarships and incentives to attract people to this field.
While all of the topics are important we feel that it is especially important to focus on the reform of the health care system paying close attention to the health care workforce. Physicians have an insight to the health care system like nobody else. It is crucial that we listen to their needs and ideas to improve the health care system inside and out. Administration should also be closely looked at to promote cost awareness in billing and reimbursement systems.
(2005). The Wisconsin Nursing Community Agenda for Health Care Reform. Retrieved March 16, 2009, from Nursing's Agenda For Health Care Reform Web site: http://www.wisconsinnurses.org/docs/WI%20Nursing%20Community%20AgendaFINAL.pdf
The Agenda-Health Care. Retrieved March 14, 2009, from The White House Web site: http://www.whitehouse.gov/agenda/health_care/
Arvantes, J (2008). Lack of Primary Care Physicians May Derail Health Care Reform Initiative . Retrieved March 16, 2009, from AAFP Web site: http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/publications/news/news-now/professional-issues/20080130massachusettsreform.html
Gov. Doyle, J (March 11, 2009). Washington Should Look to Wisconsin for Answer to Health Care Reform. Retrieved March 16, 2009, from The Huffington Post Web site: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gov-jim-doyle/washington-should-look-to_b_174107.html
Hatwell, K (2009, March 10). AMA Physicians Work for Health Care Reform. Retrieved March 16, 2009, from AMA Web site: http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/no-index/news-events/physicians-health-care-reform.shtml
Monday, March 2, 2009
Health Care Reform Proposal
In today’s world, the economic downturn has been a top priority, but health care reform will remain one of the most controversial issues facing the country. While a total health care overhaul is unlikely, we must give a sense of urgency to small changes capable of making a great impact.
A new reform should improve access and be cost effective, while providing exceptional quality. Ideally, congress would pass legislation requiring all employers to provide health coverage to their employees. This would provide coverage to people who work part time and people whose position or wage status may not qualify them for coverage. This would reduce the amount of uninsured people and also the amount of people dependent solely on tax funded care, for example, Badger Care. This would also increase access, since people who had no coverage could utilize health services without worrying about paying out of pocket. This would reduce the amount of people using emergency care as their primary care.
Although passing costs on to companies and employers may be difficult in a struggling economy, it would serve as motivation for companies to take interest in the health and well-being of their employees, since their profitability now depends upon it. Similarly, an employee whose wages depend on his health and efficient use of health care might begin to take more responsibility for his well-being, and would promote preventative care as opposed to reactive care. To give employees an idea of how much money their employers are spending on their health care, a new piece of legislation was introduced in October that would require employers to report the annual health insurance expenditures on their employees W-2 tax forms.
. The current trend of wastefulness contributes to soaring costs. To reduce this waste, efforts should focus on simplifying administration, researching cost/benefit comparisons in treatment, and eliminate unnecessary procedures and tests, and providing incentives to do so. Increased cost effectiveness would allow for better treatment and payment of the health care workforce, more efficient care, and lower premiums for businesses and employees alike.
If congress passed legislation passing responsibility for health to the individual, and if companies are motivated to reduce waste and become cost effective while maintaining quality, we would be well on our way to having one of the best health care systems in the world, without risking all the problems that could come from a massive system overhaul.
Citations:
“American College of Surgeons: Statement on Health Care Reform”. 31 October 2008. Accessed 2 March 2009. http://www.facs.org-ahp-hcreform08.pdf.url
Schoeff, Mark Jr. “Health Care Reform to Be a Top Priority of Congress”. 21 October, 2008. Accessed 2 March 2008. http://www.workforce.com/section/00/article/25/85/98.php
A new reform should improve access and be cost effective, while providing exceptional quality. Ideally, congress would pass legislation requiring all employers to provide health coverage to their employees. This would provide coverage to people who work part time and people whose position or wage status may not qualify them for coverage. This would reduce the amount of uninsured people and also the amount of people dependent solely on tax funded care, for example, Badger Care. This would also increase access, since people who had no coverage could utilize health services without worrying about paying out of pocket. This would reduce the amount of people using emergency care as their primary care.
Although passing costs on to companies and employers may be difficult in a struggling economy, it would serve as motivation for companies to take interest in the health and well-being of their employees, since their profitability now depends upon it. Similarly, an employee whose wages depend on his health and efficient use of health care might begin to take more responsibility for his well-being, and would promote preventative care as opposed to reactive care. To give employees an idea of how much money their employers are spending on their health care, a new piece of legislation was introduced in October that would require employers to report the annual health insurance expenditures on their employees W-2 tax forms.
. The current trend of wastefulness contributes to soaring costs. To reduce this waste, efforts should focus on simplifying administration, researching cost/benefit comparisons in treatment, and eliminate unnecessary procedures and tests, and providing incentives to do so. Increased cost effectiveness would allow for better treatment and payment of the health care workforce, more efficient care, and lower premiums for businesses and employees alike.
If congress passed legislation passing responsibility for health to the individual, and if companies are motivated to reduce waste and become cost effective while maintaining quality, we would be well on our way to having one of the best health care systems in the world, without risking all the problems that could come from a massive system overhaul.
Citations:
“American College of Surgeons: Statement on Health Care Reform”. 31 October 2008. Accessed 2 March 2009. http://www.facs.org-ahp-hcreform08.pdf.url
Schoeff, Mark Jr. “Health Care Reform to Be a Top Priority of Congress”. 21 October, 2008. Accessed 2 March 2008. http://www.workforce.com/section/00/article/25/85/98.php
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