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Insider Vision
A Contrarian View: There's An Optimistic Future For Health Care
by Barry Scheur, President
Scheur Management Group
In this, our last edition of this century, we explore the past, present and future of, many aspects of health care delivery, from payor to provider. This edition also marks the first contribution of David Buchmueller, our most recent addition to SMG, who brings over thirty years of experience in the hospital and health system industry. As we close this century and welcome the challenges that lie ahead, we see evidence of the forces that are impacting, some would say negatively, on the managed care industry. Unlike many of my colleagues, I view these as opportunities that have the potential to reshape positively the way managed care is practiced.
Today, everybody is juiced about the Internet as online technology for managing health care information; the investor/venture capital community is translating its enthusiasm into significant investment. However, when one talks about the potential for investment or growth in companies that are involved with the delivery or financing of health care, these same financiers just shrug their shoulders. I just don't buy it! Despite all the backlash against managed care (which is really backlash against choices that consumers themselves make regarding pricing, benefits, and access), I think that the health insurance system of the United States is still worth the investment.
It is true that people are unhappy with managed care. But, in my opinion, what they are unhappy with is the deception, brought about by lack of information, and surprises when they learn the rules, i.e., read the fine print, when they try to get their claims paid or treatment for illness or injury. But it doesn't have to be that way!
Many hospital systems are rethinking their integrated delivery system strategies. They are bailing out of operating their own HMOs, either by closing them down or selling them for a mere fraction of their investment, not to mention their energy and other resources. Physicians have also failed abysmally in implementing businesses to govern, finance and deliver care, primarily because of under-capitalization and grossly poor judgment when it comes to management.
When all of the dust dies down, the financing and delivery of care may well be left to several giant public companies |
