The New Healthcare Normal, requires organizations and health care workers to retrench and repackage in order to ensure survival in the era of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Market consolidation and new entrants are causing disruption in some areas, which is cause for concern for those that have not been proactive and have effectively prepared for change.
The healthcare industry in our country is relatively young, thus has experienced transitional evolution to where it should be focused - - - on the patient. Too often we have been task oriented based on activities that generate revenue. Quality obviously has been a focus by most, but has not resulted in better health outcomes and reduced costs. So, we are now charged with truly placing the patient at the center of everything we do on a daily basis. It is interesting to note, that while we understand the needs of patients, it is much more enlightening when you or loved-ones are actually a patient; particularly if you are a healthcare worker.
The changes that are occurring may not be perfect for everyone but we have to start somewhere. It is the fact that the costs overall are out of control and millions of Americans have lacked access to important care and services that could prevent serious illness and most important poor quality of life. We frankly need to try to adjust in a way in which the patient and each citizen benefits from quality and affordable healthcare whenever they need it. I was moved recently by a speech by president John F. Kennedy while visiting the presidential library in Boston, to learn that the prevailing issues of the day during the 60's included access to quality and affordable healthcare. So, if we consider the major events that have occurred in our nation, healthcare is right at the forefront of the need for change and improvement.
So let's for a moment reflect on the traditional healthcare models and how effective or frankly ineffective they have been to improve health and financial outcomes. Overall we have struggled to improve in the very basic areas due to a clinical-financial disconnect. While there has been significant evidence of certain interventions and clinical services to improve outcomes, little has been done to implement some of the services because of the lack of coverage or reimbursement. Now we have an opportunity under Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) and Patient Centered Medical Homes (PCMHs) to finally utilize services and solutions irrespective of whether or not they have been covered traditionally. The key of course is to have the courage and innovative fortitude to integrate alternatives that will make an immediate impact on the improvements in health and financial outcomes.
The reality of change is here to stay and despite how you may feel about the politics or the policies, we absolutely must do something and rethink how we deliver healthcare in our country, so that the patient benefits from our efforts - - - for a change.