April 2008
3 posts
Problem 1: Colossal Hubris of the Individual
Problem 1: Colossal Hubris of the Individual
by batkinson on April 30, 2008
In August 2006, the National Association of Health Underwriters issued a white paper listing key current and future healthcare cost drivers:
Aging Population
Pharmaceutical Costs
New Technologies
Behavioral and Lifestyle Choices
System Inefficiencies
Medical Malpractice
Cost-Shifting
Increases Utilization
Such...
Epistemological Foundation for Healthcare Reform
To effect change in America’s healthcare system, stakeholders must address deeply-rooted beliefs and behaviors. Without change at this level, all manner of novel financial schema, medical nostrums and patient consumerism will lead to neither higher quality nor lower costs. Our current crisis evolved as our culture evolved, and no governmental fiat will reverse this course. To increase access to...
The Starting Point: Patient Autonomy
Let’s reform the “Club of Cos”.
First, we must understand Ivan Illich’s meaning when he identified the Club of Cos. He coined the epithet to describe the complex of provider, payer and pharma. This club is built upon systems that reduce the individual’s autonomy. Without restoring autonomy to the individual, no effective healthcare reform will take place.
So, this diary of...