After introductions, the group discussed some of the barriers in the current healthcare system as they relate to economics.
Participants were mainly concerned that incentives are perverse in the current system; monetary goals leave so many without care or without the most appropriate care for their condition. Access, quality of care, and location are additional variables that impact our ability to have an effective health care system.
Aligning incentives to reach the best outcomes for the patient is what we need to in health reform.
Next, we'll discuss how we get to more effective and economically efficient means of healthcare deliver.
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The NYTimes has had a series of great articles about the perverse incentives over the last few months. It's great that some light is being shined on the fact that unnecessary tests are being suggested, or that specialists to whom patients are referred are chosen because of "kickbacks"
ReplyDeleteHere is the most recent of these articles from the Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/14/weekinreview/14abelson.html?scp=27&sq=doctors%20insurance%20money&st=cse
I hope this discussion is fruitful!
Thank you for posting these articles; incentives have been an important topic in the small group discussion.
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