Healthcare
Published May 2002
By Bill McCoy
At the March meeting of the Interfaith Health Care Coalition, John Urban, CEO of Preferred Care spoke about the local health care situation in response to our questions about the role of his organization. His remarks were startling to say the least. I asked if I could quote him in a public article and he agreed.
In summary: he said that our health care system is not serving anybody and must be rebuilt, bottom to top. The degree of change needed is revolutionary!
The demographic changes in our society will require a major funding change. If that does not materialize and the economy fails to improve, the system will be in crisis within the decade! A starting point for change is to admit the extent of the problem. Merely negotiating the system is a major frustrating problem.
In response to a question about rationing, he referred to Canada and England where a less individualistic and more community based set of social, political and economic attitudes is prevalent. People are willing to cooperate to help the system work.
We thank John Urban for a frank discussion.
In a separate but related development during the past few months, the issue of community rating has received media attention and support from a variety of sources. Among the ideas floated, is the possibility of home rule for our area, in order to:
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