Water Cooler Conversations

As the debate begins about health care reform, the center of the discussion appears to be access, reimbursement programs and malpractice premiums.  Noticeably absent is a discussion of a critical component of health care costs – more efficient utilization of healthcare by the consumer.  Excessive or inefficient utilization often occurs either because consumers are not accessing their coverage correctly and/or not managing their own health and well-being.  Healthy lifestyle behaviors and health education do not guarantee perfect health and efficient utilization of health care – but they improve the odds of better outcomes substantially.  Our own program, ERC Health is a ten (10) year testament that it works.

If you are going to have a discussion of health care reform Mr. President, you should probably include health reform in the package.  If as a nation we are truly serious about managing health care costs, then we need to also look at affecting risk factors that influence the health and well being of the consumer.  And, you will need to provide them the tools and dollars necessary to help manage their health and improve their health care IQ. Along with accessibility reform, we must ensure that people utilizing the system, use it well.  Otherwise you will end up with a bigger mess on your hands than you have today.

Providing yet another option to obtain healthcare is a great idea if it is coupled with a true strategy of becoming a healthier, more educated nation. The consumer must become a critical part of the solution.  If not we will be left with just another government entitlement program that will make a bunch of us sick to our stomachs.  This new condition, Government Entitlement Nausea (GEN) has the potential to sweep the country.  The scary part is that no cure for GEN is in sight.