As the debate about health system reform rages, physicians are weighing in to make sure that their patients are protected and cared for in the best way possible.
The physicians who lead the Pennsylvania Medical Society have put the finishing touches on “The Eight Essential Principles of Health System Reform,” a list of principles that will help guide physicians, the public, and lawmakers choose the aspects of health reform legislation that are best for patients.
Any reform of national or state health systems, according to the list, must offer universal and affordable coverage, base patient care on demonstrated evidence or expert medical consensus, be properly funded, and increase efficiency.
"Physicians are like everybody else in this debate. We had to take out some of complexity and get down to the essentials," said Daniel J. Glunk, MD, president of the Pennsylvania Medical Society. "We needed a brief, succinct list of the health reform principles that we feel are truly essential."
Dr. Glunk said that without these guidelines, it would be nearly impossible for physicians to analyze health system reform legislation with any kind of objectivity.
The guidelines say that:
- Health care coverage should be available and affordable to all American citizens and legal residents.
- Patient care should be based on either demonstrated evidence of, or expert consensus on safety, efficacy and effectiveness. (In other words, physicians should care for patients in ways that are proven or generally agreed to be safe, effective, and efficient.)
- Health care business transactions and administrative processes should be transparent and use available technology to facilitate information sharing, reduce costs, and improve efficiency. (In other words, the business aspects of health care should be streamlined.)
- Health care expenditures should be adequate to improve population-based outcomes, sustain research and innovation, and support workforce training needs. (In other words, we need enough funding to improve our overall health, pay for research, and train health care workers.)
- Health care delivery markets should be constructed to be competitive, thus increasing efficiency, innovation and quality as well as reinforcing a physician’s ability to compete. (In other words, there should be more competition between health care insurers because this encourages them to do a better job.)
- Comprehensive medical liability reform is essential.
- The health care system must ensure the choice of provider and health plan or care system.
- The health care system must promote the patient/physician relationship.
How will this benefit you, the patient?
The American health care system is among the best in the world. But just like a physician is always learning and seeking to provide better care, we can also improve our health care system.
As the debate about how to change our health systems continues, the Medical Society believes that these guidelines will help:
- Provide many more people with health care coverage so they can obtain wellness and preventive care and better care for chronic illnesses like diabetes or asthma. Investing in this kind of basic care saves lives and money in the long run.
- Contain the cost of health care so that it’s more affordable. The increases in health care costs can’t continue at the current rate. By being more efficient and more effective we believe that cost can be managed.
- Encourage more of our best and brightest young people to go into medicine and other health care careers. The threat of being sued or not being reimbursed fairly is leading many of our smartest young people away from health care and/or away from Pennsylvania.
Read "The Eight Essential Principles of Health System Reform" on the Pennsylvania Medical Society website.