Video Commentaries on Health Care System Reform

Discussion Topics: Status of current health care system. Misdirected resources undermining patient care. Out of control patient debt. Professional burnout. A messy amalgam of inefficient systems inherently designed to compete for financial success resulting in poor patient care.

Discussion Topics:  In the beginning there was eggs and cash. Now there’s the middleman of complexity that separates physicians from their patients. Dr.’s are leaving the industry at record rates because of burnout. Layers, upon layers of barriers that stifle patient care. Issues and voices at the legislature. Change and reform is hard but absolutely necessary.

Discussion Topics: What’s lacking is a system that builds a relationship between the physician and patient which is the foundation of good health. Rationing care v/s affordability. Denial of physician recommended tests, treatments, and medicine by insurance companies. Accountability. Appeals v/s patient care. The failure of our current system to take care of all Americans. Unaffordable medications. Dwindling numbers of physicians, students, medical sub-specialties & mental health services. Too much time spent on administrative tasks rather than listening and helping patients.

Discussion Topics: Difficulties providing care in rural areas. Lack of Doctors resulting on long patient waits. Logistics. Costs of medicines v/s feeding families. The donut hole, meeting deductibles.  Peer countries spend dramatically less than the U.S. to deliver patient care. Lessons to be learned. Rural area inadequacies. Transportation. 1 in 7 Mainers forgo care because of affordability, resulting in more expensive ER visits.

Discussion Topics: A patient’s immediate care v/s another patient’s immediate care and the impact of a prior authorization. Another elderly patient situation, the absurdity of the insurance company decision to help the patient. A young patient situation with high deductible, a solution but long-term debt resulted. Middle-aged patient prolonging care until he became Medicare eligible.

Discussion Topics: Focus on wellness. Use technology. Learn from other countries. Improve the system. Reduce the profit motive. Doctors coming together. They understand the system doesn’t work for everyone, patients, and physicians. We must support the Maine Medical Association statement for health care reform.

Discussion Topics: Comprehensive and formidable change. Learn from other countries. Physicians from all specialties need to get involved. Value of leadership. Talk truth to power. Lessen medical school debt. Value of preventative care. The need for a more accessible and affordable system. Encourage creativity and competition for a system that provides better patient care. From one physician to another we need your support to effect meaningful change.