Several healthcare interactions this week have led me to question how healthcare views their patients.

My brother-in-law tore his rotator cuff. He and my sister went to the hospital for pre-surgical testing a few days before the surgery. They arrived early in order to fill out the numerous forms which required the same information over and over again:  name, date of birth, his history, what he was having done, etc.  They were assigned a room after an hour in the waiting room. After another half an hour a nurse said she would be right in.  Another half an hour later, the nurse came in, said she didn’t have time to read the paperwork, they would operate on the right shoulder and began listing other items.  Stop right there!!  No, it is his left shoulder.  From the nurse: “Were my sister and her husband sure?” Why are patients expected to provide information that doesn’t get read or verified?

I had an unexpected referral to the endodontist from my dentist.  Despite my dentist office calling and giving them all my information, when I arrived two days later there were six forms for me to fill out (thought there was an EHR in place).  All six asked for my name, address, date of birth, and today’s date.  While they asked general yes/no questions, there was no place for me to inform them of a specific health need.  Good thing I knew to tell them. If you went to any other store, bank, or other establishment wouldn’t you expect them to print out the forms with your known information on it?  As the customer, would you expect to do the work?   Are we using our electronic health records to the benefit of our patients or our caregivers? – Ann Marie Tyrell, Principal Consultant

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There's a saying: “under capitalism man exploits man, under socialism the reverse is true.” I am skeptical that a government-run insurance option can operate as efficiently as private insurers and I'm thinking this is going to cost me. However, I'm trying to stay optimistic. Maybe a government-run insurance option can stir-up the competition and make healthcare more accessible and affordable to more people- I guess it's worth a shot! - Jen Verdiani, Sales & Marketing Associate

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What do I think about healthcare? I think the US’ narcissistic view of healthcare (that ours is the best system in the world) needs to change. Sweden, for example, has great healthcare, but they pay higher taxes for it. If we actually saw the benefits of our taxes, I think people would have a more agreeable outlook about paying them. With healthcare coverage, whether private or public, there is inequality in what insurance or Medicare pays for in terms of women’s health vs. men’s health.  If you want to ban abortion coverage (Who in their right mind wants an abortion anyhow? It’s a desperate last resort), then I say, ban Viagra! Why should a woman have to spend multiple co-pays for repeated mammograms if the physician asks for a second or third reading or a follow-up ultra-sound?  Yes, co-pays are appropriate for the first visit but the follow-ups are part of the diagnostic order. Many women fail to do the follow-ups because they can’t afford the multiple co-pays and subsequently the total costs rise based upon the outcome. Spend money up front for wellness rather than deny it after the fact. Few politicians who make these decisions really understand the domino effect of their actions. Millions of dollars are wasted on Medicare fraud that could be put to good use on preventative care. Place the watchdogs where they need to be; read the research that is available. Place the dollars saved in preventative care, especially in the areas of education on diet and exercise to prevent diabetes rather than spending the dollars on all the post effects of diabetes.-Anna Lee Lapinski, Resource Manager

This is the second installment of What our VCS women think of healthcare reform.

Being in the Healthcare industry for over 25 years, I would say the time has come and is almost past the point of no return for reform.  I am concerned that if we don’t take some immediate steps, the cost of Healthcare will continue to skyrocket to the point where our children will not be able to afford even the employee portion of most plans, let alone the deductibles and co-pays.  If the government can’t come up with an acceptable bipartisan plan to sign in the next 60 days, then it is time to turn our attention to items we can change in 2010 like medical malpractice, incenting more graduates to enter medical school by assisting in their tuition in order to provide the additional primary care docs that are soon to be so desperately needed, and mandate or incent some personal health changes. Seriously, the time is now. – Cyndi Cahill, Senior Vice President

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Tort reform is not only necessary, it is imperative.  Litigation has gotten out of control and payments are astronomical.  Physicians and nurses are served with unfair lawsuits which in turn drive up insurance and in return healthcare costs. 

I've heard lots of talk about socialized medicine.  We already have that in the form of Medicare and Medicaid.  How are those plans working?  Are the healthcare needs being met through those venues?  Are they cost effective?  The answers to these questions should help point the way in any healthcare legislation. – Sue Rollins, Senior Consultant

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I am happy to hear the high level of discourse among politicians regarding healthcare reform. I just wish it were civil, factual and accurate. I think there are thousands of thoughtful, bright minds in healthcare and the government who are working on implementable ideas that will move the system ahead. I think everyone agrees we cannot remain stagnant and continue down the same path. Big ideas and big change require thoughtful, careful, and intelligent consideration and debate. Can anyone say that is the type of public discussion going on? We all deserve better. – Robin Shine, Senior Vice President

I was reading an article published in the Wall Street Journal that summarized a survey done by the Independent Women’s Forum. This survey was meant to capture what women think of the current healthcare situation in our country. I Thought it would be interesting to open the topic up and ask a few women what their take was. I set no topic limitations and only asked for a few sentences.

This will be a three part series so as not to overwhelm the reader with too many opinions in one day.

Here is what they said:  

I do believe that the U. S. needs healthcare reform; however this is a huge undertaking that will be with us for a very long time.  Reform deserves the appropriate time and attention by Congress, not some fly-by-night bill that is pushed through to fulfill an “agenda.” I also fear that my taxes will increase dramatically regardless of if we choose to opt in or opt out of the government run healthcare. Therefore, I will be paying twice for healthcare – my private insurance and a tax increase to pay for the healthcare reform.  I also believe that government run healthcare will limit our coverage and many of our choices.  As a mother of three children who is at a physician’s office at least once per week, coverage and choice is at the top of my priority list. – Anonymous

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Regardless of where our insurance will come from (public or private) I feel that insurance companies are a large part of the healthcare issues, since they stand in the middle of the healthcare transactions between payers and providers.  Insurance companies need to be competed against creating a new “middle” which in turn will force innovation among all involved in healthcare.  With innovation comes a better standard and measure of care for patients.  We must not forget that due to the high cost of some healthcare episodes, the well must help pay for the sick.  Statistically speaking one out of six of us live in poverty and it is clear that we are not all fortunate enough to afford the healthcare we deserve, but we must find away to understand that we all deserve to have affordable healthcare.  Our children and grandchildren are depending on us to do this right! – Paulette Bulko, Senior Consultant

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I think the current health care system under private insurance is broken and needs to be fixed.  I had a run-in with my private insurance company last year about my medication and am still fuming about it - I changed insurance carriers but don't believe that any one insurance company is better or worse than the others; they all make a huge profit for themselves. We don't really have as much  of a choice as we should to pick private insurers because, for the most part, we are limited to the choices provided by our employers.  – Jennifer Burnside, Senior Consultant

Do you agree or contest any of these statements? Let us know what your opinion is.