Another Reform Idea

Here is an interesting idea: pilot programs. We really have no idea what is and what is not going to work for reforming the health care system. We have some models around the country that consistently see high quality while lowering costs, but they have had years to perfect this technique. However, each area of the country faces their own unique challenges, opportunities and population variations. So maybe each area should use what works best for them instead of forcing everyone to do the same thing. As long as we all have the overall goal of reducing cost and increasing quality, maybe this could work.

Atul Gawande, surgeon and writer, suggests this strategy and some other needed reforms to payment and quality. He has been right in the past, so maybe he will be right again with health care reform.

Read his full story in the New Yorker

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/12/14/091214fa_fact_gawande?currentPage=1