Comments on: And the answer is…. http://www.healthcareletter.com/2010/02/13/and-the-answer-is/ Call to Action Weblog Thu, 18 Mar 2010 23:56:14 -0600 hourly 1 By: Dan Smith http://www.healthcareletter.com/2010/02/13/and-the-answer-is/comment-page-1/#comment-113 Dan Smith Tue, 16 Feb 2010 05:53:07 +0000 http://www.healthcareletter.com/?p=1351#comment-113 Oakleigh - I just came across a blog that is a “MUST-READ” for anyone interested in bending the healthcare cost cure. It is so good that it is going to create a stir in the healthcare blog community. I encourage all interested in this subject to read this blog article. The blog is called: THE HEALTH CARE BLOG The topic date is : FEBRUARY 14, 2010 The topic title is: HOW MARYLAND “ BROKE THE CURVE”: A SOLUTION FOR MASSACHUSETTS? The URL is : http://www.thehealthcareblog.com This solution would work in any state with the will to tackle healthcare costs. But I'm afraid some states would be willing to go broke before they would embrace such a solution. "Pride precedeth a fall." Oakleigh – I just came across a blog that is a “MUST-READ” for anyone interested in bending the healthcare cost cure. It is so good that it is going to create a stir in the healthcare blog community. I encourage all interested in this subject to read this blog article.

The blog is called: THE HEALTH CARE BLOG
The topic date is : FEBRUARY 14, 2010
The topic title is: HOW MARYLAND “ BROKE THE CURVE”: A SOLUTION FOR
MASSACHUSETTS?

The URL is : http://www.thehealthcareblog.com

This solution would work in any state with the will to tackle healthcare costs. But I’m afraid some states would be willing to go broke before they would embrace such a solution. “Pride precedeth a fall.”

]]> By: alain enthoven http://www.healthcareletter.com/2010/02/13/and-the-answer-is/comment-page-1/#comment-108 alain enthoven Sun, 14 Feb 2010 01:26:07 +0000 http://www.healthcareletter.com/?p=1351#comment-108 Engagement of the cost conscious consumer is necessary, but there is not much the very sick patient (where most of the money is being spent) can do to question individual items or services of care.This is especially true in a fee for service environment where not even the providers know or care what things cost. What is needed is for consumers to have and make informed cost conscious choices of delivery system. In the few cases in which consumers have such choices, overwhelmingly, they choose comparatively efficient delivery systems. Take Madison Wisconsin, for example, where several excellent delivery systems compete to attract and serve state employees. Medical care is a team sport, and there is a great deal that an appropriately motivated team can do to improve quality and reduce cost Engagement of the cost conscious consumer is necessary, but there is not much the very sick patient (where most of the money is being spent) can do to question individual items or services of care.This is especially true in a fee for service environment where not even the providers know or care what things cost. What is needed is for consumers to have and make informed cost conscious choices of delivery system. In the few cases in which consumers have such choices, overwhelmingly, they choose comparatively efficient delivery systems. Take Madison Wisconsin, for example, where several excellent delivery systems compete to attract and serve state employees. Medical care is a team sport, and there is a great deal that an appropriately motivated team can do to improve quality and reduce cost

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