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.

Once again I had the privilege this morning to hear Sen. Bill Frist speak, this time at a breakfast held at Lipscomb University.  Though last time the topic was highly focus, today the slate was clear and anything to do with health care was on the table.  Although our time was limited, Frist managed to cover a lot of important topics and share his vast amount of experience and knowledge with us in the crowd.

The conversation began with a reminder that the US, compared to other countries, ranks poorly when it come to life expectancy and infant mortality, despite spending twice as much as other comparable countries.  Why is that?  Well consider what makes up health and life expectancy: 40% Life style and Behavior, 30% Genetics, 15% Socioeconomic status, 10% Health Services and Technology, 5% Environment.  Unless you have been living under a rock, its no shock…  we live in a country where our life style choices are not the greatest, a large portion of our country is obese and many people do not regularly exercise.  Add poor lifestyle choices to our lack of desire to change our behaviors, its no wonder we rank so low.

Anyways, from there we managed to discuss cost shifting, Medicare and the pending 10.6% reimbursement cut,  and the uninsured among other things.

My most important take away was his belief in consumerism and the public sectors ability to affect change.  In most all markets, with very few exceptions, competition and consumerism drive down or at the very least maintain costs.

Transparency… the new industry buzz word… connects right into this and refers to the idea that information regarding cost, quality, outcomes, and experience should be readily available to all consumers of healthcare (cost and quality being the top two, considering they are what we are having the hardest time controlling).

By making the industry more transparent, especially how much a physician is really being reimbursed for their services and how much a procedure will cost them before having it done, consumers have a better idea of the true cost and quality of the care they receive.

Wonder what the result is?? Well it’s believed that transparency in the industry will make consumers more inclined to take responsibility and accountability for their own health and health care. Now here’s the reality,  not everyone is going to care about how much their health care cost - Just like not everyone is going to care about “global warming”.

However the industry just really needs to see an emergence of “the prudent shopper”… the group of people that begin talk, begin taking note, and begin to care about their health care and its cost.

If you think you might be the next “prudent shopper” of health care, visit www.changehealthcare.com and see what you think… tell us what you think! We are moving into the world of transparency and engaging consumers… be part of that change.  That’s my advice.

Transparency, accountability, and competition… I must say - I am always happy to keep my feet moving, rather than be left behind.