Outcomes matter most

Even though there is a tendency to take sides in the ongoing debate over the future of health care in this country, it is refreshing to see the topic being discussed.

The U.S. “system” is really not a system at all but an amalgam of special interests, mainly driven by monetary concerns. Any repair of what we have should be based on favorable medical outcomes, since we lag behind many other countries in this respect.

We perform more lab tests, imaging studies such as CT and MRI, and surgical procedures than other countries, but these do not lead to a healthier population or better outcomes. If reimbursement were based on how well the patient is after treatment rather than on how many visits, tests or procedures are done, we would have healthier people and save billions of dollars at the same time. This is not “rationing” but rational decision making.

Daniel Schaffer, M.D.

Spokane