A Vision for A Collaborative Health Care System
We Impressed Ourselves A Little
When we started Collaboration Health Care in 2006 one of the first things we did was sit down and outline our vision of what a "collaborative health care system" could really look like; How could it or should it work? This was before all of the reform stuff made health care a topic of discussion. Most knew health care costs were a problem in 2006 and most knew the system was pretty dysfunctional- we just didn't want to talk about it very much or for very long. Now, more than ever, we believe in the vision we outlined 5 years ago as a real "solution" to fixing this system we have today. Some of the components we identified in 2006 were actually addressed in the health reform legislation in 2010- many were not. Regardless, we missed identifying one key component in 2006 that is absolutely required to create the health care system we envisioned. That item is "trust." and laws cannot legislate trust. Trust is earned. Until we begin to build some trust between all stakeholders, solving our health care crisis is going to be tough. But, we need to keep at it. By improving the relationships, education, and knowledge we can improve trust. It's just going to take some time to do it.
20 Principles of a Collaborative Health Care System
Originally Developed; June, 2006
We Believe that access to affordable health care is a right that should be available to all Americans regardless of race, economic status, or life situation. (This does not mean health insurance- this means access to affordable health care)
We Believe that neither the free-market nor government structures existing today can individually or exclusively provide the changes necessary to develop a truly collaborative and more efficient health care system for individuals. Success will require a win-win collaborative solution between the two. (Due to the existence of Medicare, VA, Medicaid, etc. the government is in the health insurance business whether we like it or not- the two sectors need to balance each other through legislative and private market dynamics)
We Believe the funding and reimbursement methods to provide access to such health care rights will include a market-justified combination of private, public, and individual contributions to balance the demand for services with the supply and access of those resources.(This means a combination of free-market pricing, with government funding, and should not result in increased taxes)
We Believe the private markets and public institutions should collaboratively engage and focus on improving the knowledge and information available to measure and communicate the outcomes and results associated with health care delivery in a manner that can be understood by the general public. Initiatives should support and guide the broader social changes that will be required to enhance the health improvement expectations of the population, assure care is available through the payment and delivery structure, and assure the economic structure of the marketplace is balanced appropriately between the private, government, and consumer stakeholders.
We Believe financing our health care system must be fiscally responsible and balance the short-term needs of our citizens today, with the economic burden placed on future generations.
We Believe that the intellectual capacity and technical capabilities already exist to streamline delivery of health care services and improve the economic efficiencies existing in the market but will require better alignment of economics, business models, and operational processes between the stakeholders than exists today.
We Believe there is enough waste and inefficiencies existing in today's system to provide a substantial "down payment" on any funds that may be required to reorganize the delivery and financing system.
We Believe the reimbursement and pricing for the delivery of health care services should be aligned with traditional market economics (true cost- not cost-shifting) and with the outcomes achieved with those services and made prominently available to and understood by individual consumers and the broader market participants.
We Believe that low short-term per unit price and reimbursement strategies, do not equate to better long-term outcomes or health improvement for an individual or economically benefit the health care delivery system as a whole.
We Believe care management decisions should be based on the outcomes and health improvement results associated with the services rendered, and not based solely on economic and financial considerations.
We Believe those providing health care services should be responsible measuring, knowing, and communicating their care outcomes and results utilizing consistent methodologies and approaches and in a manner that can be understood by the general public.
We Believe those providing health care services will be expected to continue to adjust their business models to improve efficiency through all aspects of the delivery experience, and to address the continual economic changes that will take place and opportunities that will develop in the marketplace.
We Believe the delivery of health care services should be a collaborative effort between disciplines to integrate the most appropriate methods and interventions that maximize the care outcome for the individual.
We Believe that in addition to the continued advances in medical technology, pharmacology, and medical procedures that will occur, there are less-invasive and naturally-based interventions that should be more prominently considered and used in care delivery that will maximize economic efficiency, quality of life, and the care outcome for the individual.
We Believe improving the health, wellness, and social behavior of the individual consumer throughout
We Believe the definition of “health and wellness” extends beyond illness prevention and the management of chronic disease, but also includes all aspects to improve and maintain the physical, social, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual health of each individual.
We Believe the “Quality of Life” should become a key metric of consideration for all participants in our health care system. Quality of Life includes consideration of the emotional, social, spiritual, and intellectual health in addition to the physical health when determining the health status and needs of each individual.
We Believe the individual consumer must accept the responsibility and take the actions necessary to become more knowledgeable health care consumers and more active participants in the roles they play in the health care system and in their lives.
We Believe the litigation costs associated with today’s health care system must be addressed through tort-reform efforts that will protect the rights of the individual from harm but provide a more reasonable balance with the rights and expectations of those providing care than exists today.
We Believe that “fixing” our current health care crisis (increase in costs and limits in access) will require a change in the relationships between government, consumers, and the private market by utilizing integrative thinking to creatively resolve the tension currently existing with the conflicting interests by creating new ideas containing key elements held sacred by separate stakeholders but superior to the individual interest if left on their own.
