REAL Health Care Reform

In the midst of an ever changing landscape in our great country, few thoughts of change stir the proverbial pot like Health Care Reform. For many, this is an uncomfortable topic, much like sitting at a restaurant watching another family's children have a food fight. You know you should do or say something to the parents about the kids' behavior, but in reality, what good would it do since behind the closed doors of home, nothing would change.

To me, Health Care Reform must begin by changing the mindset of Americans from thinking that someone else is responsible for me and my health, to taking full personal responsibility for it. In comparison, when was the last time you expected State Farm or GM to pay to have your oil changed in your car, or the weekly car wash in the winter to get rid of the damaging salt build up or the turn signal bulb that burned out? Sometimes I sit back and scratch my head and wonder where America went wrong? When did we begin to believe that someone else is responsible for my well being? So with that, I believe, the first and most crucial step in Health Care Reform is the re-emergence of personal responsibility.

Secondly, Insurance Companies and the decision makers in those companies need a complete make-over. Nearly everyday in my practice a patient is denied coverage for necessary services by a nurse with lesser training and education than me, or, worse yet, a paper pushing numbers cruncher whose statistical analysis says my recommendations don't fit within "their established treatment parameters." But once again, I don't blame the insurance industry for this as they are a business trying to make a profit. In my opinion, the root of the problem here is the "profit." People, we must remember that the insurance industry is not out for our best interests when it comes to our health. Their decisions are made based on numbers, data and the bottom line: profit and loss.

It is for these two reasons that I feel that REAL Health Care Reform will only come our way when the business of health care becomes exposed for what it is, business. Let me expand on this idea. When was the last time you made a trip to the grocery store and paid only 20% for the food in your cart? Have you ever gone to Macy's and bought a $1800 suit because your clothing deductible was met? I know it sounds crazy, but that's the reality we face. The business of Health Care has been cloaked in a gown of royalty that appears to make it exempt from standard consumer/business practices. But here is the kicker. Behind the doors of all the large clinics and medical facilities and hospitals is a person with an MBA operating that facility like a standard business. Looking at bottom lines, services rendered, payroll and the likes and is establishing policies and procedures to increase the utilization of the products and services offered to patients to increase revenue. The crazy part about all of this is that these policies are built on the predication that someone other than the person receiving the products and services will pay the bill! People wonder why the cost of health care has gone up...it's right there.

Unfortunately there is more to get to, but not enough time to do so today, so be sure to check back for Part II on REAL Health Care reform when I offer my unique solutions.

Please be sure to check back regularly for more insights. In the meantime, why don't you stop by my website at www.lifequestchiro.com and explore! Be Well!