Today, as Congress considers spending between $1.2 and $1.5 trillion to fix our health care system, they need to look at what is happening every day in places like Everett. In Everett, Premera, Providence and The Everett Clinic are recognized as leaders in saving money and providing high quality health care. Everett is one of 10 communities nationally where medical quality gets high marks while costs are kept comparatively low.
In fact, The Everett Clinic recently published its "Seven Proven Ways to Improve Health Care." They include:
- Require chronic disease management such as diabetes and heart disease. The Everett Clinic has saved millions in health care costs through effective disease management. Remember the old Fram Oil Filter ad: Pay me now for an oil change and a new filter or really pay me later for an engine overhaul.
- Eliminate expensive and unnecessary procedures. The Everett Clinic reduced its use of MRI for neurological problems by 64% in the last 2 years.
- Pay for prevention to reduce treatment costs. Early detection leads to better patient outcomes and lessens the need for expensive emergency, hospital and nursing home care.
- Use technology to improve patient care and safety. The Everett Clinic reduced potential errors up to 60% through the use of electronic medical records and new technology.
- Insist of prescription management to save money. The Everett Clinic saves approximately $35 million a year in prescription costs without sacrificing quality.
- Reward quality, not quantity. Too much money is wasted on unnecessary procedures because payment is driven by the amount of care provided. The Everett Clinic saved nearly $2 million in two years on its Medicare Demonstration project alone using this approach.
- Let the Light Shine In. The Everett Clinic believes consumers must have easy access to information on health care prices, quality, service and value to make informed decisions.
Maybe it is time for President Obama and Congress to slow down and consider the progress we are making on controlling health care costs, improving the quality of care and opening access for people to be treated and have insurance. It is happening every day in communities such as Everett and it is an example of what works...not what they think may work.
It may even save us a TRILLION or two. It is worth considering.....SERIOUSLY!
Don C. Brunell, President (DonB@awb.org)
