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How John Edwards Ruined Healthcare Reform

admin — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 01:26:55 +0000

The former presidential candidate dem? Democrat John Edwards? been in the news a little? lately. First, he admitted? Paternitas? son of his mistress, that the revelation? n was followed by the publication? n a tell-all book by former aide Andrew Young that pint? a picture bit flattered? e? pol or what? tico. Finally,? He and his wife Elizabeth are separated. The dissolusion of their marriage seems to parallel the outlook for health reform. The p? Loss of Edwards can? Partly explain qu? attempt to extend health insurance available to all dem? American Democrats? stalled. During the 2008 primary season, Edwards? been m? s? left on the health issue that is Hillary Rodham Clinton and now President Barack Obama. As a candidate, Edwards has called for reform of universal health care. Support? of Creation? No regional health markets an option? np? Republic to compete with the company? as private health insurance, hoping to reduce costs – as? as increased regula? No, the employer mandates and subsidies, which made him? a favorite among the progressive wing of the Dem Party? Democrat. Some liberals can? quer? a completely single-payer Canadian or European style, but well-groomed, sweet Edwards? is considered,? m? s? short in comparison? n with Rep. Dennis Kuchinich eligible. Currently, his position? N was m? S? liberal Obama. His campaign? To and support for early primaries help? to promote the two main candidates against this view. Beyond? S to lose dem primaries? Democrats, the Edwards family has continued to hold hope that the former senator will be staying has been selected for a position in the administration? No Obama. Next? S all, the company’s main rival? Eros Clinton? was appointed Secretary of State. For what? us? possible, have tried to keep the details of what s? Loss Edwards affair secret. Obviously have not had? Success – the reports of secret mistress Rielle Hunter payments (rape? Tions alleged FINANCING? N of the campaign? A) begin? to spread, hammering the? LAST nail in the tie? d of their hopes pol? cies. With one of M? S? important supporters of the faculty? government-run p? Republic having squandered his voice, the dem? ten liberal Democrats? an less presi? n against the moderates who opposed? an. Some people think that if Edwards? consultant of the current administration? No, Obama will be staying has been m? s? adamant about passing a comprehensive bill of health insurance, including the possibility? Reform of p? Lic, and less likely? to allow the Senate to fall. A position? N in the administration? No current, it probably will be staying at made? Nm? S John Edwards? ego? sta and irresponsible. However, he had some influence on the momentum of their pet issues. Although s? What is in the interests of one (or his desire that the Am? Rich affordable dental insurance to get your teeth as straight as yours) may have been more? S? likely to stick his neck out rather than let Congress debate the ques? No of months. Although his “Two” ret? Am Rich poverty? Rich? you? proved to be false, part of the p? Republic? convinced, however. The knowledge of its ugly behavior better? the status? n uninsured. At this point, there will be? Has been a? No worse advocate of health reform be? Pitchwoman Lady Gaga a Banana Republic. However, many believe the problems have not disappeared with its reputation? N. While the recent book The Pol? Tica portrays Elizabeth Edwards as the man m? S negative one? Interpretation? Nm? S? charity implies that participated in the? last stage of cover-ups know qu? its humillaci? n to be less important than the husband (directed by) pod? to do for the millions of Americans struggling with the lack of insurance m? doctor. The desire to be the First Lady at all costs? was certainly part of it, but Elizabeth diagnose terminal c? cancer hac? to unlikely to survive even for a single t? Terms. reform focused attention on health? a personal matter for her, as the company? c consider health insurance? breast cancer a preexisting condition and refuse to cover treatment. Most? To patients with c? Cancer not? he married? with the rich former trial lawyer, and then struggle to find affordable health insurance. We will never know c? Mo reform focused attention there will be health? To have gone if John Edwards was a little “me. (Photo: DC Llima 2. 0)

Do Republicans Have A Healthcare Reform Solution?

admin — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 22:32:10 +0000

Last week, President Obama stood before the Republican Congress actually dared? to propose further reform of the pol? tics of health. Next? Several bruises s p? Loss elections, dem? Democrats have tried to portray the Republicans as the party “No,” a party that simply opposes any pol? Tica democr? Tica, without giving his own account. With a single Republican vote in the full Congress for both versions of the bill that the Performing was relatively f n? Easy to create. Of course not growing? To the status? No insurance m? Doctor today? was perfect. Now, the m? Republican maximum C? Mara, John Boehner calls? his bluff. It recently announced? an alternative plan for the focused attention of health reform in the Republican Party. Ins? N Boehner bill for his party? plus? to reduce the costs of focused attention and preserving Medicare health while avoiding tax increases or d? deficit of expenditure. Tambi? N Out? the fact that the Republicans ten? an its own proposal for months, but? qu? was ignored in favor of DISCUSSION? n within the party between dem? Democrats. In fact, Republicans in the C? House of Representatives with Legislation? N to provide m? S? Americans with health insurance. In comparison? N the schema democr? Tico? much less expensive. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that cost? As? As 61 million d? Lares U.S. 10 to? you. However, the Legislation? N adopted by dem? Democrats of the C? Mara ten? At a price of m? S of a bill? N d? Lares U.S. during that period, but time. version? n the Senate comes to slightly less than the brand. Part of the raz? N the lowest cost? no insurance benefits in issues? n. Moreover, the health insurance mandate (which require? To greatest? To people to buy a p? Liza)? absent. This? expected as this disposition? n? Is considered,? very controversial, and even unconstitutional, in some sectors. A group of Republican attorneys general threatened to sue the federal government if the past term. If such a reform Republican pas? Wizard instead, their concerns, right? be a moot point. In l? Line with its pro-business stance, the Republican bill includes less regula? No business? or health insurance bill dem? Democrat. Tambi? N is said to include several provisions Republicans have proposed in the past. Instead of creating an insurance market regulated national health exchange to promote competition in the industry, the Republicans believe it is better idea to eliminate restrictions on inter-State sales of individual health insurance. Some states have m? S? restrictions on coverage, as the demand for the company? as health insurance to cover health conditions. For example, some states mandate that all insurance plans m? Doctor sold within their borders offer mental health coverage, while others do not. In many instances, insurance m? Doctor on their own are m? S? expensive in those states that require m? s coverage? complete. If interstate insurance sales are allowed, people be? able to buy individual health insurance or student provides the level of coverage they need: N? pi ‘, n? less. No? enable them? to shop around and save money. Of course, the reform of negligence m? Medical? too? n a significant part of the Legislation? n. Instead of denigrating the compa? As health insurance, Republicans prefer to blame the lawyers for the rising cost of health insurance. Without the protection? No intellectual property? severe in the amount? The money can be paid in cases where malasanit? (In particular, those decided by juries), the m? Doctors are forced to practice defensive medicine, in other words, to be performed several tests and procedures that are m? Periodically unnecessary. Otherwise, leave open to lawsuits if something goes wrong. Many m? Physicians have abandoned the practice it because of the millions of d? Dollars in malpractice insurance est? N must take into account judgments. The lack of practice it m? Medical, especially m? General practitioners, the results of increasing the rates of those remaining. These costs are reflected in the p? Public in the form of insurance premiums m? Individual doctor, leaving millions of uninsured Americans m? Doctor,? Why? can not afford to buy it. Even in his position? N pol? Tica weakened, the dem? Democrats are unlikely to consider the Republican bill. Some are esc? Ellipticals that serve? To as a true health care reform: Although avr? much less impact on the d? ficit, has a reach? No less, and efficiency. The Democratic plans? Tica are expected to provide secure access to m doctor to 30 million Americans, the Republican plan coverage? s? as 3 million. Excluding illegal immigrants (no est? N covered in the proposals of both parties), many Americans? guaranteed. Another question is: to be? p? Republic is m? s? interested in health reform in the Republican Party than it is democratic reform? tica? A proportion? N increasing our population? N? DISCUSSION tired of? No jointly.

Meditation: The missing component in healthcare reform

admin — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 20:26:38 +0000

Imagine entering a doctor’s office and be greeted by a sign that says: “Calm, Meditation in Progress” and find a waiting room full of people sitting with eyes closed. The doctor sat in the middle of them opens one eye and moves to sit and join in this vision could be the missing component of healthcare reform?

Many progressive physicians advocate the need for prevention and lifestyle changes as a way to reduce health care costs, but pages and pages of scientific research shows that meditation can provide a shortcut for this in-depth review health awareness.

A truly healthy lifestyle, change begins at home, with a change of attitude and sense of ourselves. Society teaches us to turn our attention to material gain and sensory stimulation and satisfaction in the pursuit of global consumption of the product. The result is often exhausted and lack of connection between your body and inner wellbeing. No wonder that we have allowed our health is based on consumerism, too. When we are sick, we bought a “magic pill” for us the address and pay for expensive treatments and consultations. Looking outside of ourselves for the health, suppress the symptoms rather than addressing the underlying causes of the disease.

Body care begins with caring for the inner self. Physician and writer Frank Lipman suggests: “Ultimately the most effective way to improve the health of the nation and reduce health care costs is responsible for our health and learning of prevention.” Shown repeatedly that what we eat, how we respond to stress, the amount of exercise that we have, our exposure to chemicals and the quality of our relationships and social support systems is a strong medicine. ”

The missing link for creating this awareness of health is the creation of inner strength and mental clarity needed to make healthy choices. Day to day decisions about what to eat, when to go to bed, what exercise to do, how to handle stress at work, everything depends on our mood and the mood. An effective meditation practice that relieves stress and deepens ourconnection inner satisfaction and mental clarity is the best basis to create healthy habits that last.

Fortunately, science has taken the mysticism of meditation and its effects on health. In the market for self-help and meditation practices, subjective reports are not reliable for health reform. But researchers have studied what happens in the brain during meditation and meditation as the metabolic rate, blood lactate, heart rate, blood pressure and aging.

As early as 1971, scientists have begun to look beyond subjective reports of meditation and study of physiological correlates of meditative state. In the laboratories of physiology at UCLA, the transcendental mediation technique was found to produce reductions in oxygen consumption, respiratory rate, heart rate, muscle tension and blood pressure, and a further increase in skin resistance (which shows one was more relaxed). Since then, more than 600 studies have been published in scientific journals. Transcendental Meditation is the most sought after of all meditation techniques, showing great benefits for the body, mind and behavior. health reform in Washington, overwhelmed by pressure groups pharmeceutical, must consider the results in savings for health:

• A study published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine, found that the Transcendental Meditation group were 55% less health care utilization, both outpatient and hospitalization, compared with controls matched for age, sex and occupation. The Transcendental Meditation group had lower rates of disease in all disease categories, including 87% less hospitalization for heart disease and 55% less cancer. [1]

• Compared with the five main drugs of anti-hypertension for a period of 20 years, a study published in the American Journal of Hypertension showed that MT has the lowest cost and most health benefits. Reduction of costs between 23 and Transcendental Meditation. 7% to 72. 9% less compared with antihypertensive drugs. [2]

• People who practice transcendental meditation spent 11% less per year on health care than the general population. [3]

• Research shows that the TM technique also reinforces the declining health habits, such as snuff, alcohol and drug without a prescription, that are related to chronic behavioral stress and cause millions of dollars in costs health each year. For example, data from the Campaign for Snuff-Free Kids, said that smokers cost the economy $ 97. 6 billion annually in lost productivity.

Changing the health care model to focus on the treatment of costly diseases, preventive care based meditation practice will create a health system that is not only convenient, but create a higher standard of what it means be healthy.

1. Reference: Orme-Johnson, D. W. (1987). Medical care utilization and the Transcendental Meditation program. Psychosomatic Medicine, 49 (1): 493-507.

2. Reference: Schneider RH, Alexander CN, M falters, M Orme-Johnson DW, Rainforth, Salerno JW, Sheppard W, Castillo-Richmond, VA Barnes, CA Nidich. A randomized controlled trial of stress reduction in African Americans treated for hypertension in a year. American Journal of Hypertension, 18:88-98, 2005.

3. Herron, R. E., Hillis, S. L. (2000). Impact of the Transcendental Meditation program of medical expenses. The abstracts of the American Public Health Association 128th Annual Meeting and Exposition, November 12-16, p. 178.

Healthcare Reform Bill ? The Un-Heard Solution

admin — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 11:45:20 +0000

political rhetoric grows as you get closer to a vote on the colossal bill of health reform. Republicans, Democrats and independents agree that something must be done to stabilize health care costs and health insurance more affordable. The dilemma – they are two separate issues and the health reform project now is so wrought with special interest favors that Congress will even show what Americans are going to propose. Process is a scandalous, malicious and should not be more concerned with the processes of government and health. But I digress. Sure, maybe a few million people will have a break at the expense of remaining 90% of Americans and perhaps a few deserve a break. Unfortunately, with 300 million Americans, a solution for 5 to 10 million at a cost of 1.000 million is outrageous.

Fortunately, there is a solution that benefits all Americans and solves many of the uninsured. With a little snap to the path that could create a health program and health insurance for the world. The solution also solves the problem of health costs and insurance costs health issues identified by both parties.

This is so simple, of course, was not created by Congress. Ready?

All ages “Taxpayers 1918-1965 to reach $ 1 per $ 1, the tax credit – up to $ 2,500 – for each dollar spent on health care and / or health insurance premiums. Another credit of $ 500 per dependent child under 18 years.

Total cost – $ 507,000,000,000

Effect / Outcome:

Some questions remain that could be added as the impact of dissection Tax Credit. The highest moral value of any real background is not insurable. A national high-risk reserves could be created with all insurers contribute proportionately on the basis of some% of gross premiums collected. Results – equitable distribution of the insurability of the risk to the insurance and savings are not the same $ 2,500 premium enjoyed by all Americans.

Stratification other ideas, like buying and selling health insurance across state lines, and other reforms could be added over time as they are complex, involving state and federal reforms of insurance.

Finally, the savings from Medicare for Medicare reform and financial stabilization can be used to improve the Medicare program. Medicare savings redirected to any other purpose will have to pay later in another bill of costs.

How Ted Kennedy’s Replacement Is Impacting Healthcare Reform

admin — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 05:23:39 +0000

Several months ago, Senator Edward M. Kennedy (often known as Ted) died. Often referred to as a lion “liberal” was one of the strongest supporters of the Senate of health care reform and express their vociferous support from the public option. His temporary replacement, Paul G. Kirk Jr. took the mantle of his former mentor. Kennedy’s death was considered a blow to the prospects of a public option, but the leader of Senate Majority Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi recently renovated them. With a ten-year term, had links with politicians from both sides of the aisle. And “no doubt that a relatively new one will be able to achieve bipartisan cooperation requested in his recent speech plan. health care reform, particularly public choice are political divisions. The rhetoric has become more partisan in recent months. What exactly Kirk wants a bill to reform health? During his speech, attacked the health insurance lobby, which detailed a series of “special interests” who take advantage of the current situation. While many politicians of both parties underlined a recession as a reason for delaying the reform (or sinking at all), Kirk also expressed the view that there is a need for reform even more now, with many families in distress. Like its predecessor, supports the public choice, telling the Boston Globe that he believes is the most effective way to increase competition in the insurance market and lower your health insurance quote. Despite its discounting the debt resulting from the action seems to think that public insurance of New Deal-esque will help the economy and, eventually, to return swords. When it comes to directing the governance of health debate, Kirk is in a position surprisingly good – despite being a new senator with little influence in a chamber ruled by old age. Neither has to worry about reelection, since he left office after Massachusetts special election in late January. As a result, unlike many other legislators do not have to meet the extreme right and left. Above all, he wants both sides to work together as they did in their home state. People across the political spectrum have pointed out flaws in the state program of health care reform, but the combined efforts of the Republicans (like Mitt Romney) and the Democratic health reform in Massachusetts has led in almost all of its population (97%), becoming insured. Similar to Ted Kennedy, Kirk thinks that provide basic health services through a public choice is a moral imperative for the U.S. government. His ideal compromise is a noble goal. Kirk was unable to overcome the philosophical difference with Republicans, who believe that private industry is more efficient and that is not the government get so involved (although some are more open than others to a stricter regulation of health sector insurance .) However, the underlying concept of a health care system that benefits all Americans is one that applies to both parties. (Photo: U. S. Senate Official Portrait)

Faq: Dennis Kucinich And Healthcare Reform

admin — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 01:34:28 +0000

One of the hottest topics in politics today is the change of Rep. Dennis Kucinich on the issue of healthcare reform. With the Democrats to the wire in their legislation, they need the support of many members of the House of Representatives as possible. The entire Republican delegation is strongly opposed, and many Democrats in swing districts are worried about their reelection prospects. Here are answers to some common questions about Kucinich and the reform of health insurance:

Health Insurance Companies To Suffer Without Healthcare Reform?

admin — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 22:28:14 +0000

With the Republican victory in Massachusetts to tilt the balance in the Senate, the possibility of adopting a comprehensive health reform in the short term looks increasingly remote. The hypothesis would be that health insurance companies that are happy about the news of Scott Brown will take place Ted Kennedy, and the initial reactions reported to be the case. The stock-for-profit health insurance companies rose on the news. However, says the death of health reform, insurance can not be good for the industry as it seems at first sight. The health insurance have been significant changes in the context of health reform. The federal government intended to issue regulations that, among other things, put a cap on health insurance premiums they can charge people who are older or in worse health. The reform should also prevent insurers from denying health coverage for people with pre-existing conditions. While most of these changes have the potential to damage the profits of the health insurance companies, most insurers had already made a calculated decision to support some aspects of health reform. Insurers to submit applications for reform was based primarily on the creation of a health insurance mandate. The mandate requires all Americans to purchase health insurance individually, or pay a fine. Individuals and families below a certain level of income received federal grants to purchase a health insurance plan. Insurance companies are in favor of the Democratic proposal, like millions of new consumers to them – many of whom were younger, healthy people and more profitable for insurers. Although some analysts doubt that subsidies or penalties will be large enough to convince consumers to enter and enough to offset the influx of patients is not profitable in worse health. However, if even a fraction of the 30 million uninsured Americans entered the health insurance companies can benefit. In fact, executives of major health insurance companies like Aetna have admitted to resort to new models of revenue generation, in any national healthcare reform passes. The recession caused a drop in sales of group health insurance, companies no longer pay for insurance for employees made redundant, and some companies have dropped their health insurance business altogether due to cost. Many displaced workers are able to afford health insurance, COBRA, even temporary subsidies. As a result, there is a growing market for health insurance on their own. Unfortunately, this group is largely from the market for individual health insurance. They may need to work in the best health insurance options offered by pure business reasons. While health insurance is generally considered a necessity, is less important than food, water, shelter and minds of consumers. If health insurance contributions are too expensive, many consumers will fall completely. This does not bode well for the sector of health insurance. insurers are reluctant to health reform in the states. If the current bill die in the Senate and House of Representatives, the health insurance company may be forced to deal with 50 different laws. Some of these laws can be stricter than others. Groups of Industry, Commerce, Health Plans such as the United States Insurance, thinks that the cost to comply with legislation such disparate end of May to be more expensive than the limitations imposed by federal law. This will make it even more difficult without the additional influence of government will have to reduce medical and hospital expenses. Finally, there is fear that if this legislation is not approved, become even more unfavorable to the health insurance companies. If the status quo is maintained, insurers can earn higher returns in the short term. However, the Government will adopt more extreme measures after, if health insurance premiums and costs continue to rise. For example, the idea of a public option run by the government could get more traction than it did this time.

Some Republicans Show Willingness to Compromise on Healthcare Reform

admin — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 16:02:46 +0000

The prospect of a bill to pass comprehensive health reform are becoming slimmer by the day. However, this does not mean that health reform is dead at all. After his bruising loss of the Massachusetts Senate, Democrats are trying to change the size of its proposals to reform the sector of health insurance. We are determined to end this discussion with something to show for a year of work. Previously, senators and congressional Democrats were particularly concerned to comply with the conservative, moderate and liberal party. Most Republicans made a political calculation to oppose any form of health care reform proposed by the Democrats. Meanwhile, Democrats have decided to go for it and try a wider reform of its entire assembly could be convinced to vote for. As shown, the Democrats clearly deceived. Now, they must get at least a handful of Republicans, for their part in order to legislate. There were some brief flashes of bipartisanship shortly after Obama’s inauguration, but both sides quickly took sides. Maine Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe initially expressed a degree of support for health reform. She was more concerned with controlling costs, but so were centrist Democratic senators. In fact, also advocated the idea of public health insurance option managed by the government in very limited circumstances – an idea never gained traction among all the Democratic caucus in the Senate. Snowe wanted to give different markets in return for health insurance, subsidies and regulations for working time before resorting to more federal intervention. If private health insurance were not able to cover a sufficient percentage of Americans, the public option must be “activated.” In recent months, increasing partisan rancor Snowe seems to have soured on the subject. Democrats and fellow Republicans to close the negotiations, while conservatives “tea party” activists run primary challenges against every legislator is not considered strong enough in their opposition to health reform. Sure, there may have been the concern that their participation in the Conciliation Committee of the House of Representatives and Senate bills would not be in good faith – only a Republican in the entire Congress (Rep. Joseph Cao Louisiana) voted in favor . However, the process barely managed to avoid being responsible as legislators Snowe. With the election of Scott Brown to change the balance of the Senate, President Obama, Senate Majority Harry Reid and other Democratic leaders are recognizing the need to reduce speed and reduce the bill back to its most important elements easily understandable. For its part, Snowe is waiting for Democrats to make the first move, to change the bridges burned by negotiations behind closed doors. Brown also expressed his desire to play a constructive role in the ongoing reform of the American system of health insurance. More moderate Republicans, including Maine, Susan Collins, could do the same in the production of a new bill more limited. 2008 Republican candidate and Arizona senator John McCain is also open to start again. He suggested that some elements of election-year proposal to health – such as allowing people to buy health insurance across state lines individual tax credits for those buying individual insurance or health reform and medical malpractice self Illicit – considered. Similar ideas have been published by Snowe, and those who have the ability to receive bipartisan support. More gradual changes may also collect more popularity among the public of a substantial revision. In general, many politicians believe that the current project is most likely unrecoverable, too much blood is associated with the process negative. (Photo: Olympia Snowe official website of the Senate)

AARP Throws Support Behind Healthcare Reform

admin — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:53:50 +0000

The AARP (Association for Advancement of Retired Persons) is the predominant lobbying group for senior citizens in the United States. Healthcare reform is an issue that impacts many seniors today; many are worried that their Medicare or Medicare Advantage benefits will be cut. One of the methods proposed for finding the funding to insure more Americans is to cute Medicare’s reimbursements to doctors; this could lead to a decreasing number of practictioners who are willing to accept Medicare. That’s why it’s surprising that the organization has announced its support for the Democratic healthcare reform bill. Their power (40 million Americans over age 65 are card-carrying members) has the potential to push the House of Representatives’ and Senate’s bills over the amount of votes needed to pass. As a result, some Republicans have questioned AARP’s status as a nonpartisan organization. It must be said, though, that AARP has made enemies of politicians in both parties in the past; and their seeming neutrality gives their views more credibility. Believe it or not, AARP is actually willing to endanger the business of its own corporate partners. It makes money off of Medicare Advantage plans and other products sold by UnitedHealthcare and other health insurance companies. The reform bill AARP is backing will, above all, see significant cuts to Medicare Advantage. AARP officials insist that the fact that they collect over $220 million per year from AARP-branded insurance doesn’t cause them to have a conflict of interest. Since they appear willing to sacrifice their own profits for what they believe is the greater good, respondents of a recent poll have greater trust in them to recommend the right solutions to our healthcare crisis. A majority of independents and Democrats have more confidence in the AARP than in health insurance companies. Even Republicans are equally confident in the seniors’ organization. Still, the question remains: why would the AARP risk alienating a significant portion of its base? After all, senior citizens have consistently been the demographic least supportive of healthcare reform–largely since they have the most to lose. Maybe the fact that most of the budget cuts will be borne by Medicare Advantage as opposed to standard Medicare itself is expected to soften the blow. The majority of seniors would like to keep Medicare Avantage programs alive, but by no means have those programs been ideal. Many have had issues with government reimbursing the private insurers for this supplemental coverage for years. A case in point is the infamous “donut hole”: each year, Medicare Advantage covers a certain level of medical costs until patients have to pay the entire amount out of pocket. Although the Medicare Advantage plan kicks in again after a certain amount (often $5,000 per year), most policyholders’ spending tends to fall slightly under that amount. (Meanwhile, they continue to pay the premiums for their health insurance plan. ) Congress is scrambling to have a bill passed as soon as possible; the House may even vote on it over the weekend. AARP’s eleventh-hour support will boost the chances of reform. A lot of seniors may be vocal when opposing reform, but it isn’t fair to assume that the older generation who “already got theirs” and has public health insurance plans available to them doesn’t care about the masses of uninsured young people. Some criticism is based in their desire to avoid saddling future generations with massive national debt, while other senior citizens believe that insuring our population is the best way to give back. Either way, seniors have played a major role in the healthcare reform debate. (Image: auntjojo under CC 2. 0)

Achieving Healthcare Reform: The Role of Electronic Health Records

admin — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 04:12:29 +0000

In a live Webcast hosted by Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on August 7, Dr. David Blumenthal, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (HIT), answered critics of the Obama administration’s healthcare reform efforts and underscored the role of HIT in accomplishing it, stating that the adoption of Health IT will serve as a catalyst for achieving the goals of healthcare reform legislation.

“I think they are afraid that physicians somehow will be controlled by the information that’s in the record or by guidelines that are in the electronic record,” Dr. Blumenthal said. “An electronic record, however, assembles for the physician all of the information that is relevant to be able to make an effective decision. It gives them what they need to be correct and wise at the point that the decision has to be made. The electronic health record, by bringing all this information together in one place at one time and accessible to the physician, can advance the patient’s health, make the system more efficient and reduce premiums over time as a result. ”

Dr. Blumenthal cited an example from his own experience. While ordering a CT scan on a patient, the computer alerted him that a similar test had already been performed. In fact, “the test had been ordered by another doctor, and as I looked at the results, I didn’t need to order that test,” he said. “I saved the patient the inconvenience and X-ray exposure, and saved the healthcare system the money for that duplicate test. ”

Dr. Blumenthal himself also converted from paper to electronic health records (EHRs), admitting that it was not an easy task, both in terms of changing the way we are used to doing things, as well as from a cost perspective. However, he realized very quickly that, with more information readily available to him, it made him a better physician. He added that the stimulus funds should make the transition easier and, if healthcare is to be improved through the use of EHRs, then, ultimately, “it’s the right thing to do. ”

Although the healthcare information management arena has been relatively slow in catching up to technology, physicians and others in the healthcare industry are starting to see the impact that information technology has had on other industries, and they are ready to utilize technology as a tool as well. With President Obama’s economic stimulus package offering monetary incentives for adoption and use of EHRs through the HITECH Act — which qualifies hospitals and physicians proving “meaningful use” of an EHR for $17 billion worth of incentive payments from Medicare and Medicaid over a five-year period — the transition seems to be more achievable than before.

“It’s an investment that will take the long, overdue step of computerizing America’s medical records to reduce the duplication and waste that costs billions of healthcare dollars and medical errors that cost thousands of lives each year. ” President Obama stated at the signing of the stimulus bill on February 17.

While the exact definition of “meaningful use” will be determined by the HHS at the end of this year, the legislation outlined three requirements: e-Prescription, electronic exchange of health information and reporting of clinical quality measures.

On June 16, the Meaningful Use Workgroup offered its recommendations to the Health IT Policy Committee. In its preamble, the workgroup stated, “The ultimate vision is one in which all patients are fully engaged in their healthcare, providers have real-time access to all medical information and tools to help ensure the quality and safety of the care provided, while also affording improved access and elimination of healthcare disparities. This ‘North star’ must guide our key policy objectives, the advanced care processes needed to achieve them, and lastly, the specific use of information technology that will enable the desired outcomes, and our ability to monitor them. ”

Health IT will play a tremendous role in the realization of this vision, which is highlighted by the Meaningful Use Workgroup’s early call for adoption of EHRs and computerized physician order entry (CPOE), including time- and cost-saving features such as electronic transmission of permissible prescriptions and incorporation of lab test results into EHRs. According to an Institute of Medicine report, an estimated 100,000 people die each year from medical errors in hospitals. EHRs will improve patient safety reporting and data analysis and prevent such errors by providing built-in safety management protocols and risk-assessment tools, including early warnings and alerts. In addition, they will also prevent duplicate tests by reminding physicians about preventive services.

As Dr. Blumenthal mentioned in the Webcast, “Health IT can empower all kinds of improvement in preventive care, in acute care and chronic care. [The doctors] won’t miss when the mammogram is due, or that influenza immunization. We know that prevention is a very important way of avoiding healthcare costs. Finally, by making sure that the administration of bills or of claims is more efficient, it can greatly reduce the waste we all know is part of the administration of our very, very complicated health insurance systems. ”

Healthcare reform is needed, almost everyone will agree, simply because, as a nation, we aspire for quality care. In fact, as President Obama said, “Healthcare reform is no longer just a moral imperative; it’s a fiscal imperative. If we want to create jobs and rebuild our economy and get our federal budget under control, then we have to address the crushing costs of healthcare this year in this administration. ”

However, how it will be achieved is always debatable. At least one thing is certain: that it will require a meticulous and committed approach and cooperation between all the players in the healthcare arena. To that end, the role of health IT through the use of EHRs as a major player is both critical and inevitable at the same time. In terms of long-term savings as a result of health IT, analysts at RAND Corporation estimate the figure to be about $77 billion a year. Hence, the challenge lies not in its necessity — whether it should be done. Rather, it lies in the approach — how it should be done.

Many have and will continue to raise myriad concerns, whether from a technology, privacy or security point of view. However, as stated by Dr. Blumenthal, “It is a journey we must take if we are to improve care through the use of EHRs. ” As we progress towards the ultimate vision, utilizing technology to provide secure, timely and logically organized access to health information will become more realistic, imperative and ultimately meaningful. And yes, it is the right thing to do.