“Building an effective health care system in the United States”

“Abstract”

                              “Building an effective health care system in the United States”

Health care in the United States is fragmented. There are many constituencies competing for financial gain, market share, and best outcomes. Various systems who target different payer groups and providers are now beginning to look at patients as consumers and customers. Insurance companies and employers are now looking for options to avoid penalties and fines that may be issued by the government due to health care reform.

While all of these groups continue to survive and prosper in the current system, what has not been addressed is a viable solution to improve quality, access, and accountability. Further, consumers must be given more responsibility and decision making in the process.  Consumers help determine the success of the retail, construction, housing, and the financial markets, yet have had very little impact on health care policy.

This research will focus on how consumers actually hold the key to health care success in the United States. Consumers can and should demand the best of hospitals, providers, and other health care professionals. The United States must improve and develop a health care system based upon outcomes, quality, and consumer satisfaction. Specifically, consumers need to hold health care organizations accountable and determine where to go for services.

Finally, removing the middleman from the system is another factor in improving our system. Insurers, third party administrators, and brokers add to the cost of services yet provide little in return. The administrative burden adds millions of dollars of cost to a broken system. We will look into what can be done to make appropriate changes to improve our system.