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July 23, 2009
reform
I was watching a Charlie Rose interview with Denis Cortese, CEO of Mayo Clinic while repairing my parents' laptop. Cortese had some interesting points. Their health system seemed to have done some end-user studies. My main frustration with all the healthcare reform debates and news is the lack of patient emphasis. I liked how Cortese pointed out that personal health well-being should be the goal of healthcare reform instead of controlling the costs accrued by sick people. I liked how he pointed out that we need to think out-of-the box since the current health system may not be the best system out there. He also made some good points about the abundance of existing government plans (some good programs, some bad).
I disagreed with him concerning finding value. Value needs to be found but his definition was quality-cost equaled value (traditionally, price-cost = value). Healthcare quality is not well defined or quantitated. For example, what is the minimum healthcare quality? How is it judged? It is subjective. Quality of care to the patient is different than quality viewed by the doctor or by the hospital administration. I would suggest going back to the traditional definition of value and look at the price of healthcare to a individual's well-being or community. Unlike others, I still believe healthcare should be small community-based. Let communities muck it up or make it a success rather than giving it to the federal government. Instead, the current viewpoint seems to emphasize how the federal government will solve the problem. Also, I disagree with Denis Cortese on MA plan. MA plan has problems. But, certain CEOs (for example, those who would benefit from a federal plan) would advertise only the sunny side of the MA plan.
I did find Denis Cortese's idea of a federal overview committee intriguing. Maybe, something similar to the federal reserve. Congress seems to be better at legislating company profits rather than thinking big about healthcare reform.
I see that three major problems with the healthcare reform that Congress is trying to push through. First, I see no strong patient advocacy groups. AARP is pushing for reform but are they getting enough voice and they are not representing everybody. Second, it's happening too fast. It's like a food fest and the people who get there early get the good food and leave crumbs for everybody else. Third, is it really going to reduce healthcare cost in a way that doesn't break the federal treasury?
Denis Cortese's last comment was he was doing this for his kids. His kids will probably never see the inside of the public health clinic, wait in SSA office, or sit in a ER in the middle of night. What are my fears? My fears are globalized healthcare will only be short-term (until some accountant figures out numbers don't balance) and that it will be like my recent experience with HP, broken (wait, I've been transferred for the fourth time!).
Posted by azileretsis at 06:49 PM | Comments (0)
July 20, 2009
beyond
Fifty years ago, a team of scientists and engineers did what Galileo couldn't even imagine only 500 years ago. Though the astronauts got a lot of credit, behind them stood thousands of people who contributed to an amazing moment in human history. This day is for those who further discoveries with their hearts and minds.
Posted by azileretsis at 07:01 PM | Comments (0)
July 14, 2009
recent
Per a discussion I had with a friend, love really isn't enough.
Who holds power in DC? Or, who is smarter?
Posted by azileretsis at 12:33 PM | Comments (0)
July 13, 2009
explore
Resources to celebrate Apollo 11.
Posted by azileretsis at 06:37 PM | Comments (0)
July 10, 2009
dominate
What dominates our news? Not a repressive government. Or, another. It is celebrities who live in their own fantasies.
Living in the world
with eyes that are half open,
prideful disbelief.
Posted by azileretsis at 12:31 AM | Comments (0)