Comments on: Health Care Access http://www.mikecritelli.com/2007/09/12/health_care_access/ Mike Critelli's Blog Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:17:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Patrick Giambalvo http://www.mikecritelli.com/2007/09/12/health_care_access/#comment-1285 Patrick Giambalvo Thu, 04 Oct 2007 15:13:35 +0000 http://www.mikecritelli.com/2007/09/12/health_care_access/#comment-1285 Dear Mike: As you know, navigating the raidly changing enviorment at the national, state, and local levels is difficult. There is a non-profit in Washington, D.C. "eHealth Initiative" created for just this purpose. eHI engages every stakeholder involved in healthcare-both nationally and locally - to find common ground and drive the implementation of principles, strategies and best practices for using information and information technology to improve healthcare for patients. The leaders of eHI represent nationally reconized experts and leaders from accross every sector of healhcare. As you may know, eHI represents a broad range of constituencies, including but not limited to clinicians, consumer groups, employers, IT suppliers, health plans, hospitals, pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers, pharmacies, public health agencies, quality improvement organizations, and state and regional collaborative organizations. And, as you know, cohesion and a shared vision across these diverse perspectives does not happen by itself. At eHI, they are finding common ground on a set of principles, strategies and actions for mobilizing clinical information electronically that is responsible, sustainable, trustworthy, and meets the needs of every stakeholder in healthcare--most importantly patients. And they have created a special place where there is mutual respect for differences and spirited dialogue directed towards consensus on an incremental, common path forward that works for everyone. eHI is developing a Blueprint for Change, to be released to the public in October 2007, which represents multi-stakeholder consensus on a shared vision, principles, and policies for improving health and healthcare through information and IT. eHI is effectively influencing public policy to drive changes at the national, state and local levels. Their working groups provide opportunities to interact with congressional staff, top agency officials and staff, as well as private sector leaders such as yourself. Give them a look! www.ehealthinitiative.org Dear Mike:

As you know, navigating the raidly changing enviorment at the national, state, and local levels is difficult. There is a non-profit in Washington, D.C. “eHealth Initiative” created for just this purpose. eHI engages every stakeholder involved in healthcare-both nationally and locally - to find common ground and drive the implementation of principles, strategies and best practices for using information and information technology to improve healthcare for patients. The leaders of eHI represent nationally reconized experts and leaders from accross every sector of healhcare. As you may know, eHI represents a broad range of constituencies, including but not limited to clinicians, consumer groups, employers, IT suppliers, health plans, hospitals, pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers, pharmacies, public health agencies, quality improvement organizations, and state and regional collaborative organizations. And, as you know, cohesion and a shared vision across these diverse perspectives does not happen by itself.

At eHI, they are finding common ground on a set of principles, strategies and actions for mobilizing clinical information electronically that is responsible, sustainable, trustworthy, and meets the needs of every stakeholder in healthcare–most importantly patients. And they have created a special place where there is mutual respect for differences and spirited dialogue directed towards consensus on an incremental, common path forward that works for everyone.

eHI is developing a Blueprint for Change, to be released to the public in October 2007, which represents multi-stakeholder consensus on a shared vision, principles, and policies for improving health and healthcare through information and IT. eHI is effectively influencing public policy to drive changes at the national, state and local levels. Their working groups provide opportunities to interact with congressional staff, top agency officials and staff, as well as private sector leaders such as yourself. Give them a look!

http://www.ehealthinitiative.org

]]> By: Cia Watson http://www.mikecritelli.com/2007/09/12/health_care_access/#comment-1284 Cia Watson Mon, 01 Oct 2007 20:39:25 +0000 http://www.mikecritelli.com/2007/09/12/health_care_access/#comment-1284 Hi Mike. I just visited the blog for the first time today. My only comment is that the concept of 'mandatory coverage' and 'competition' are incompatible. Not to mention, 'mandatory coverage' sounds like 'socialism' to me, and I prefer to believe we can again live in a free country. I agree about some of the other points you made about farm subsidies. I believe that Americans are caring and creative enough to make the issue much less of one for government intervention and still have excellent care where it's needed. (I'm also a supporter of Ron Paul for President - the only MD on the ticket!) -cmw Hi Mike. I just visited the blog for the first time today. My only comment is that the concept of ‘mandatory coverage’ and ‘competition’ are incompatible. Not to mention, ‘mandatory coverage’ sounds like ’socialism’ to me, and I prefer to believe we can again live in a free country.
I agree about some of the other points you made about farm subsidies.
I believe that Americans are caring and creative enough to make the issue much less of one for government intervention and still have excellent care where it’s needed.
(I’m also a supporter of Ron Paul for President - the only MD on the ticket!) -cmw

]]> By: PM http://www.mikecritelli.com/2007/09/12/health_care_access/#comment-1283 PM Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:37:18 +0000 http://www.mikecritelli.com/2007/09/12/health_care_access/#comment-1283 Hello Mike: I would like to start of by showing my appreciation to an excellent "urgent care clinic" we have at our PB Shelton campus, thanks again! Something I like to add in regards to physicians doing it right the first time would make the matters of healthcare cost becoming more rational to the consumer for example. When a patient visits his primary doctor, say for a hip problem, his/her doctor refers a specialist. Next, the patient calls and schedules an appointment with the specialist; the patient is required to make an office visit. By the time the patient sees their specialist, the doctor asks them a couple questions (no examinations) and tells them that they need an X-ray or MRI (conditions apply) and has their receptionist schedule an appointment at the hospital. Time wasted! Yes! The patient has to take time off of work and usually has to wait (inside the waiting room) pass their scheduled time of visit in addition, wait again inside the examination room, just to see they doctor for 3-5 minutes. Lastly, a bill sent to the patient’s healthcare provider for an unproductive office visit (IMO). This is just one example as in why high health care costs are unjustified. In closing, I do believe that the lawyers contribute to the dilemma that is, they have the upper hand when it comes to cost (i.e. Malpractice suites, etc) however. I will not venture into those waters. Thanks, ~PM Hello Mike:

I would like to start of by showing my appreciation to an excellent “urgent care clinic” we have at our PB Shelton campus, thanks again!

Something I like to add in regards to physicians doing it right the first time would make the matters of healthcare cost becoming more rational to the consumer for example.

When a patient visits his primary doctor, say for a hip problem, his/her doctor refers a specialist. Next, the patient calls and schedules an appointment with the specialist; the patient is required to make an office visit. By the time the patient sees their specialist, the doctor asks them a couple questions (no examinations) and tells them that they need an X-ray or MRI (conditions apply) and has their receptionist schedule an appointment at the hospital. Time wasted! Yes! The patient has to take time off of work and usually has to wait (inside the waiting room) pass their scheduled time of visit in addition, wait again inside the examination room, just to see they doctor for 3-5 minutes. Lastly, a bill sent to the patient’s healthcare provider for an unproductive office visit (IMO). This is just one example as in why high health care costs are unjustified.

In closing, I do believe that the lawyers contribute to the dilemma that is, they have the upper hand when it comes to cost (i.e. Malpractice suites, etc) however. I will not venture into those waters.

Thanks,
~PM

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