Goals of the New Healthcare (part 5 - final) The goals of the new healthcare system should not be to ration medical care but rather to have a rational application of care. With new IT (Informational Technology) transparency and easily available biometric statistics, physicians' and hospitals' practice-pattern and economics can be compared to other treatment options, as well as with local, regional, national and international peers. This provides learning opportunities. Persistent disparities may hasten the demise of independence by encouraging the “integrated delivery” of medical care. Here incentives in the system are aligned; with the individual patient's and physician's goals of care submerged in a 'cost-effective' or 'high value' or 'efficient' healthcare delivery system. To reduce incentives for volume of care, some suggest 'bundled reimbursement'. Isolated doctors will fight the System; while practicing in a disillusioned environment of their own making. The success of any healthcare reform depends on all of us – patients and providers (doctors and hospitals) alike, families, neighborhoods, communities and towns; rather than laws crafted in Congress and signed by the President. The cost of healthcare (to individuals and society) can be brought down by “being our brother’s (and sister’s) keepers.” A dialogue on healthcare delivery and end-of-life care is important for us individually, and as a community. The trends we set will return to affect us, as we approach that inevitable period at the end of life. The social practices put into effect by this generation may benefit us first; and become a legacy for future generations. END Regards, GL
