Comments

I know that healthcare (or "health", as Tom prefers) is a huge (if not the hugest) problem in the U.S., and so have tried to keep track of possible solutions. Of all that I'd seen on the subject, the Dubai presentation (Part 1, long web version) is among the best, for its breadth, depth, and clarity. I'd like to know how the participants responded. Was he laughed out of the room? Pelted with teacups?

Posted by Leo Romero at January 22, 2006 11:13 AM

Most of the woes of the U.S Healthcare system can be laid at the feet of the concept of Health Insurance itself. Quality approaches should always address root causes rather than symptoms.
The concept of Health Insurance is like communism - everybody thinks that somebody else pays for it but everybody does in terms of bad quality! Insurance companies make sure they always get paid Cost Plus, Service Providers inflate charges so that they can get paid what they think they deserve and more people keep losing health insurance.

U.S Healthcare needs a healthy dose of capitalism - you pay for what you need and health insurance should be only for catastrophic insurance. You will be surprised how quickly technology gets adopted when service providers need to compete for business!

If you need to see real examples of medical capitalism will work, go look up "Medical Tourism" facilities in India - like Apollo Hospitals in Chennai, India. For $5000 you can get a hip replacement surgery in a world class facility by the same surgeons who used to perform them in your local Maryland Hospitals!
They have moved back and work for these kinds of hospitals in India and Thailand. When you are done, you recuperate in a 5 star beach resort. The post operative recuperation is included in the $5000 fee.

The U.S Healthcare system is just the Soviet Union in its last throes - No incentive to improve anything! Pay as you go healthcare is inevitable and will whip the healthcare industry into shape in no time when it brings in some incentive to improve.

Posted by Nari Kannan at January 22, 2006 2:27 PM

Hi Cathy

Thanks for these fabulous presentations. It is great that Tom is kicking off 2006 with healthcare as the hot topic. I hope Tom rattles the cage of healthcare for the next few years. God how we need it. There are many problems that need addressing both sides of the atlantic. In my opinion the greatest thing we need to do is put the patient at the centre of everything we do. Everything follows if we remember that one simple truth. Yes it really is that simple.

Posted by Trevor Gay at January 22, 2006 6:58 PM

The decks are excellent as usual. Thank you, Tom, for all you do to raise awareness.

Posted by troy at January 23, 2006 9:23 AM

Cathy, Something came up at work and I might not be able to attend after all. Is Microsoft recording this web meeting, and will they make the recording available to the public? Thanks; Leo

Posted by Leo Romero at January 24, 2006 6:05 AM