| OCR Text |
Show 1994. Page 12 ' © DIALOGUE i let INTERMOUNTAIN ae HEALTH CARE A Preview of Health Care in the Year 200 STEVE KOHLERT SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT INTERMOUNTAIN HEALTH CARE same-day surgical centers or physician offices. This helps control costs and frees up more health care resources for more people. For example, just a few years ago a gall bladder operation rationing. We believe our society will develop a uniquely American solution to these issues. One example is the directive made by former President Richard Nixon required up to one week in a withhold any extreme lifesaving procedures if he fell gravely ill. All consumers of health care will have to be hospital. Today, new surgical techniques can have you recovering at home the next ust as the old adage says, nothing is as constant as change, especially in health care. The efficiencies of sharing support services, joint quality improvement efforts, and close collegial relationships will draw physicians to these groups. instructing his caregivers to improvement over previous years. Traditionally, health care has been about healing the sick. In With so many proposals circulating about health care reform, many of our readers are wondering what we think health care will really be like when the dust finally settles. While we don’t have a crystal ball to pinpoint which government reforms will be enacted, we can pre- CA UME CaUKyCy CUAL ATUL social issues of ELS be more under control by the year 2000. ~ serious growth in health care costs. These are just some of the changes in health care that - result of the market forces we can expect in the future. We applaud all those in our local communities and nationwide who are working which are already molding a new health care system. There is value in looking ahead. It helps us understand the choices currently before us. It also helps us day. By the year 2000 we will see more breakthroughs prepare for the new realities. in technology and more ACCESS: The biggest and most appar- medical procedures conducted in outpatient set- ent change will be access. tings. Instead of receiving This has been achieved through quality initiatives and restructuring health care providers into more efficient systems. Increased — efficiency, improved technology, plus business and government efforts will help check the dict a general direction as a most or all Americans access to basic health care. care industry has worked hard to bring down the medical inflation rate. It is currently less than six percent—a dramatic PREVENTION: care. Health care legislation will guarantee 2000. By responding to market demands, the health e The biggest FUT FTCA DIFFICULT DECISIONS AND SELF ACCOUNTABILITY: Our society faces some difficult decisions. Lifesaving technolo- UCN basic health care be access, services in more gies bring about expensive hospital S medical miracles settings, patients will for a few at the expense of go to neighborhood clinics care for many. Other counand physician offices for the tries, such as Canada and vast majority of their health care needs. Many surgeries Great Britain, have taken and procedures that once drastic steps to limit access required hospitalization are to these expensive services now being performed in through health care more accountable for their own health. Those who engage in high-risk behaviors may be asked to share more of the cost of their health coverage. Consumers will need to be more involved in deciding about their own treatment and that of family members. Emergency rooms will be used only for the most severe medical situations. Most health care issues will be addressed in neighborhood facilities. PHYSICIANS: In the next century, more and more physicians will work in health care systems the future, consumers, health care providers, business, and government will focus more on preventing illness. Health plans will encourage their members to to move our health care system into a new and improved era. We want to hear from you. Please call us or write with your questions for THC Dialogue. participate in screenings to detect illnesses in the early stages. Future developments in medicine will enable physicians to identify genetic tendencies and correct potential problems before they manifest themselves as illness. These advances will improve the IHC DIALOGUE ON HEALTH CARE 36 South State Street Salt Lake City, Utah 84111 1-800-889-3337 quality of life and hold down costs. COSTS: Health care costs, one of the which combine insurance, physician services, outpa- most vexing social issues of tient treatment, and hospital under control by the year A the 1990s, will be more IHC INTERMOUNTAIN HEALTH CARE |
