Everyone is talking about health care. One of the main issues with health care is the cost and financing of it. Where does the money come from? How can we improve our system and our health without raising costs to a price that is only affordable by few? These are important questions to ask when determining a better financing agenda for our health care system. It is hard to have high quality and low cost; these are two factors that usually have an inverse relationship. The simplest way to keep costs down and improve health is to use preventative measures and prevent disease and illness rather than trying to counteract it once it has already set in. It is financially beneficial to engage in healthy behavior and to maintain health than to treat problems after they have set in and have manifested and create even more problems for the individual. Prevention measures are also easier to carry out, relatively speaking, than many treatment measures for chronic diseases such as heart disease. Treatment of diseases has many different facets that increase costs throughout our health care system from surgery to expensive medication, therapy, etc. Preventative measures include things such as healthy eating programs in schools, educational programs and wellness programs in communities that are specified for their needs. Programs must differ to meet the needs of the community and will vary throughout the nation; they cannot be generalized for the entire nation or they will not be effective in preventing and managing health issues that are specific to certain areas. Many health related programs should be implemented in the earlier stages of life such as grade school level so healthy habits are formed at a young age and then can be reinforced throughout schooling. Many habits form at a young age and are hard to change as people get older; the sooner that programs can be implemented the better. The government can allocate money to support programs such as this and as people become healthier due to these programs less money will need to be allocated to health care because it will not need to be accessed as frequently.
The government can also allocate a lot less money to pharmaceutical companies for drugs that are not necessary. There seems to be a drug for the simplest of inconveniences rather than for real problems; many things that people dealt with and managed with a simple Tylenol now needs an expensive drug. Reducing our reliance on expensive drugs can dramatically reduce our health care expenses by not having to produce the drug, market it and sell it. Along these same lines of expensive treatment methods we could start with primary care practitioners and avoid resorting to high priced testing equipment and specialists. Catching illness at the beginning of its cycle rather than waiting until it has manifested and needs to be treated by a more expensive specialist is preferred. Using expensive testing and treatment could be avoided if yearly physicals were obtained, people were more educated on how to maintain their health and knew what signs and symptoms were worth having checked over by a general practitioner to avoid chronic illness. In accordance with primary care there should be incentives for return of patients with good health to create more of a desire for doctors to keep costs down, educate their patients and thoroughly examine patients to be sure that they are in good health or if they are not in a state of good health be sure that they receive the proper treatment method to return to an optimal state of health.
When it comes to the system itself we need to work on making it an interoperable system that has all different aspects of health care working together rather than being segmented. We also need the records system to be an interoperable system so that patients’ records can be accessed and are comprehensive so there is no confusion between different hospitals or doctors. Overall costs are reduced by avoiding repeat testing which saves time, money and resources that could be used elsewhere.
It is hard to say exactly from where financing for something as large as our health care system will come from. By reducing costs and preventing conditions that are expensive, financing can be shifted from treatment to prevention which will in turn save more money that can be invested back into prevention, wellness programs and incentives for primary care physicians to promote health.
Works Cited
Arvantes, James. "Daschle Calls for Greater Primary Care, Prevention Efforts -- AAFP News Now -- American Academy of Family Physicians." Home Page -- American Academy of Family Physicians. 14 Jan. 2009. Web. 06 Apr. 2010.
"Reforming Our Health System." Prevention Institute. Web. 06 Apr. 2010.
I completely agree that our healthcare needs to be more focused on preventive care. Although there will always be need for treatments, prevention can help reduce the need for them at least. While reading this, I kept thinking about the t.v. show Jamie Oliver's Food Revelution. He's trying to change the food system across the U.S. so it is actually healthy for young children and so they can learn from a young age that eating healthy is very important. I feel more often than not, people look back and think "if only I would have eaten healthier, exercised more, etc.." we need to prevent that from happening and teach people to be healthy individuals and communities!
ReplyDeletePrevention is major in health care. I think your statement, “the simplest way to keep costs down and improve health is to use preventative measures and prevent disease and illness rather than trying to counteract it once it has already set in,” says it best. When people practice healthy lifestyles and practice preventative measure, they are not only helping themselves, but also the health care system.
ReplyDeleteLike the two previous comments, I definitely agree that the health care system should be looking at preventative care first and fore most. Obviously taking measures to prevent illness and disease before it actually comes on is going to save people money in the long run, because the costs of treatment and hospital stays would be virtually non-existent.
ReplyDeleteI also like when you say "when it comes to the system itself we need to work on making it an interoperable system that has all different aspects of health care working together rather than being segmented." I think it's a really good point because it really does seem like every part of our health care system is specifically separated, which in turn ends up costing us, the buyers/patients, much more money, along with being inconvenient.
I really like your idea of implementing more health programs into schools and instilling good healthy habits as well as taking an interest in health in children. Establishing a health concious mind as a child will benefit a person for life.
ReplyDelete"The simplest way to keep costs down and improve health is to use preventative measures and prevent disease and illness rather than trying to counteract it once it has already set in."... Correct... I think a lot of groups are on the same page about health care... and learning about our health should start as soon as we are born!! How much healthier would we be?
ReplyDeletePrimary prevention is vital in keeping costs to a minimum. Preventing disease before it begins is more cost efficient than treating it once symptoms and signs of disease begin. Beginning healthy habits at a young age is key. Habits are hard to change once they are set in. This is a great idea to make next generations more aware of their health and give them the tools to keep themselves healthy.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree, along with everyone in our major I'm sure, that primary prevention is key. I agree with all of your ideas. I think it is vital to get at the heart of the problem and start educating children early on about the importance of leading a healthy, active lifestyle and what that all entails. My concern is how would these programs be implemented into the schools? Would there be set standards for the curriculum?
ReplyDeleteI agree that pharmaceutical companies need to have less power. Being the major businesses and money makers that they are, how would you suggest this be done?