The SHOUTAmerica Conference was a huge success!  About 100 student n leader, presenting almost a million students across the country, attended the conference to hear CEOs, Senators, House Reps and health care educators speak about the current healthcare crisis.  By the end of the conference once puzzled students emerged engaged and ready to make a difference!

The new LiveBlog on the SHOUTAmerica documents the conference, student sentiments, and speakers.

Check out Christoper in Part 3.

Los Angeles… what a city, filled with everything you could possibly ask for!  Beaches, mountains, and lets not forget – SMOG!

Last week Christopher and I ventured to LA to meet up with Robert, who is being featured on the new daytime talk show “The Doctors” as their health care cost expert!  Check your local listings; the show is airing October 15th!!!

Christopher and I sat in the audience for a nice (long) filming on Thursday afternoon where Robert candidly spoke with ER doc Travis Stork about how to save money on healthcare.

Most of the tips included simple alternatives like looking for generic equivalents to current medications, shopping around for the least expensive pharmacy (often located in a grocery store), and finding hospitals and and other facilities that have good, better, and best value ratings (this info can be found at changehealthcare.com) which provider higher quality and lower cost care.

Congratulations to Robert on some great national PR!!

Let us know if you get a chance to see the show…

The Nashville Business Journal ran an article Friday about change:healthcare!!

With the book prominently featured, the NBJ says, “Nashville technology start-up change:healthcare has stepped into the national spotlight for its efforts to teach consumers how to shop for health care and decipher the language of  health care providers and insurance companies. The company released “My Healthcare Is Killing Me,” a free e-book for consumers overwhelmed by medical bills or in search of health care choices that benefit them.”

“One of the cornerstones of the consumer-based approach is “transparent” access to pricing from hospitals, doctors, insurance companies and other providers so that individuals can make informed choices about their care.”

Check out the full article by downloading the PDF here.

Christopher talks health care costs, the book, and transparency on Forbes.com!!

Check out the article on the web.

Or download the PDF.

Consumerism, just like transparency, is a current industry buzz word.  It is thrown around like everyone knows exactly what “healthcare consumerism” means.  However, consumerism often refers to the “derogatory” idea of society being preoccupied with the acquisition of consumer goods. Since healthcare consumerism is intended to represent a more positive movement, I am going to lay it all out on the table.

Consumerism, in relation to healthcare, is about moving past the perception that someone else is responsible to make decisions for us. We need to shift our thinking to be more actively engaged in our health and healthcare decisions.

Think about it – active participation and education prior to decision-making occurs in almost every other industry and consumer purchase… e.g. automobiles, electronics, home buying. Why are we so inclined to remain a bystander when it comes to healthcare? We need to move past the era of the passive patient.

Read the rest of this entry »

SHOUTAmerica has partnered with change:healthcare inc. to address consumerism and transparency…  both part of the current healthcare crisis and debate.

Download the press release.

Check out Robert’s story and My Healthcare Is Killing Me featured on CNN’s Empowered Patient.

(Click on the story title in green to view the video!)

Check out the “Executive Appointments” in the City Paper.

http://nashvillecitypaper.com/news.php?viewStory=63082

I can only imagine how many differing opinions there are about how to solve our healthcare crisis.  But how many opinions are out there about what is wrong with our healthcare system?  Dare I start a list…

Anyhow, in doing some recreational reading and email sorting this morning, I came across a link to an article (sent from a colleague) “Government Contemplates Financial Bailout While Taxpayers File Bankruptcy for Medical Bills – When Will Congress Intervene in Skyrocketing Healthcare Costs?”  Great title, right? As I read through the article I couldn’t help but wonder how many people think that our healthcare problem should be “solved” by our government. Yes, yes, please let the government solve our healthcare crisis (read: tax payers pay for it).

I do not have beef with the article, or with the government “solving” problems for that matter.  The piece is very well written and highlights the problems and costs Americans are facing in relation to their health expenses.

I guess my question lies in this last paragraph, “The unacceptable result of all this is that an increasing number of Americans are foregoing expensive but much-needed drugs and treatments, including those for serious conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, which if left untreated can result in worsening conditions, hospitalizations, or even death. The problems in our health care system need to be addressed by Congress now.”

Hmmmm, so what does Congress do… implement a mandatory exercise hour across America?

Our solution has to be a JOINT EFFORT.  This is not solely the government’s problem!!

Yes, a lot of this is their fault. However, I would argue that there are five major players in this mess, one of which is the government. (See my previous posts for the four contributors – since then I have added one). The other four: doctors, pharma (newly added), individuals, and insurance companies. Unfortunately, I have yet to appoint percentages of blame.

The majority of Americans know our system is failing, but are unwilling to make any sacrifices or changes. We have had a third party paying for our care for far to long, with ever increasing bottom lines and stricter rules for coverage. On top of that, the government cannot bail us out of our obesity (or sub other unhealthy behaviors) and sense of entitlement. Insurance companies sure aren’t going to help either.

There are three things that are going to help fix this system, and individual accountability is one of them.  We have to stop running to the doctor every time we have the sniffles. We must make health and wellness a priority – and start exercising.  Second, is transparency.  No one really knows what the true cost of healthcare is.  Guess what folks; an office visit does not cost $20.  To be accountable, cost and quality information must be available to consumers.  Last, is competition.  By being accountable for our decisions, and knowing the true cost and quality of healthcare, providers can begin to compete for our care. Until doctors/hospitals have to be accountable for the quality of care they provide and the amount they charge, nothing is going to change.  Every other market has competition, why should healthcare be any different.

CNN has posted 6 ways to save money on drugs and doctors and change:healthcare and My Healthcare Is Killing Me are included!!!  Check out the short list below, or the full 6 tips on their site.

1. Discount Dental Care

2. Cheaper Contact Lenses

3. Discount Drugs

4. Lower Hospital Bills

5. Even Lower Hospital Bills – “Whether your bill is big or small, it pays to negotiate, negotiate, negotiate with doctors and hospitals. Click here for a free PDF version of the new book “My Healthcare is Killing Me,” which offers tips on negotiating as well as other hints on saving money on health expenses.”

6. A Great Tax Deduction – www.changehealthcare.com can help you “keep track of your expenses, and when they get big enough, the site automatically gives you a report ready for submission to the IRS.”

Download a PDF of the CNN article.