Kind said it will be necessary to revamp the entire system by which health care institutions are reimbursed for their services.
He said the emphasis must change from paying for specific services to paying for positive health outcomes.
But the system needs some new tools before we can get there.
To get to an outcome
quality-based or evidence-based system, youve got to have the health information technology in place, he said. You have to be able to do the comparative effectiveness studies, so you get the data to show us what does work and what doesnt.
But Kind said it is not so government can dictate what decisions are made between a doctor and patient. Its so the doctor and patient are empowered with information so they can reasonably make decisions on what they want in health care. Thats whats been lacking in our health care system.
He cited a recent report by the McKinsey Global Institute that said Americans spend $650 billion more on health care than they need to.
Thats $650 billion that we cant show any bang for the buck in health care treatment, Kind said.
Richard Mial writes for the La Crosse Tribune.
Sowing the Seeds of Reform
