There's still time for our industry to prove it can fix our broken health care system, but the window of opportunity is closing. (Photo: Shutterstock)
When conversations turn to health care reform, they tend to focus on politics, regulation and arguments for or against governmental intervention. And while those factors clearly play an enormous role in the ongoing evolution of health care, they don't tell the whole story.
A growing number of benefits professionals and business owners have grown weary and frustrated waiting on Washington to come to the rescue and have been working hard to make a difference themselves. For many, fixing health care has become a personal mission.
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BenefitsPRO editor-in-chief Paul Wilson taps into the palpable appetite for change in health care. In this month's Face of Change column (page 8), Justin Leader remembers his Aunt Gwen, who was diagnosed with stage 4 cervical cancer last year. "And do you know what her first thought is?" he asks. "It's not, 'How can I beat this?' It's 'How can I afford this?' I will do everything I can to change that."
Unfortunately, stories like this have become all too common. We increasingly hear the term "unsustainable" used to describe our system, both in terms of the cost and quality of care. If there's any positive, it's that this unsustainability is creating pressure and increasing urgency that is driving innovation.
As National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions president and CEO Michael Thompson said in a recent statement, "Employers are maxed out as to what they and their employees and family members can shoulder for health care costs, and they continue to be concerned about the sustainability of privately sponsored health care … They are working to shift market dynamics to get better value for their health care dollars through delivery-based strategies such as advanced primary care and centers of excellence. And there is also an increasing openness to government action."
That nicely sums up where we things stand, doesn't it? Never before have employers and employees been more ready to consider change. But every day that goes by without true improvement makes the possibility of government action a little more appealing.
Browse the full digital version of BenefitsPRO's November magazine issue. In "Lessons From COVID," (page 16) Jenny Aghamalian writes, "The simple concepts of transparency, innovation and empowerment will make our system better, and Americans healthier. Let's entrust people with the tools to be informed and regain control of their health care."
This month, we highlight some ways the private sector is working to regain control, including price transparency, value-based care and steps to help simplify the system. The urgency and energy are palpable. And with good reason.
There's still time for our industry to prove it can fix our broken health care system, but the window of opportunity is closing.
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Paul Wilson
Paul Wilson is the editor-in-chief of BenefitsPRO Magazine and BenefitsPRO.com. He has covered the insurance industry for more than a decade, including stints at Retirement Advisor Magazine and ProducersWeb.
