SPECIAL REPORT: Paul J. Hensler, CEO, Kern Medical Center
| Thursday, May 28 2009 06:32 PM
Last Updated Thursday, May 28 2009 06:32 PM
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Paul Hensler
To some, health-care reform means universal coverage; others view reform as a reduction in the portion of the GNP consumed by health care; reform is sometimes viewed as improvement to the quality, safety or accessibility of health-care services; and others seek reform to reduce the cost of health benefits to employers or to taxpayers.
The unhappy message is that many reform objectives are mutually exclusive until the processes, incentives and delivery of health care are first reformed. Health-care reform must be much more profound than tinkering with the payment system.
I believe that this nation must have universal health care. I believe that the current national health-care expenditure is likely sufficient to provide health care for all residents of the United States.
But I also believe that pouring massive amounts of additional funds into the current health-care system to provide universal access will have a negative effect on the health-care system and a disastrous financial effect on the nation.
A universal health-care approach must be preceded, or at least accompanied, by a significant change in the way health care is delivered and financed. The expense of waste, overutilization and inappropriate and duplicative care of the current health-care system could pay for universal care.
But transforming the health-care system means change and new expectations for all involved — patients, providers, payers, suppliers, regulators and the tort system. True reform of the current system will be extraordinarily difficult, but there is little alternative if dignified, high-quality and cost-effective care is to be made available to all.
As our national leaders begin deliberations on health-care reform, my hope is that they show the leadership and courage necessary to put us not only on the road to universal coverage but to true reform of the nation’s health-care delivery system.
