This editorial opinion by the Wall Street Journal regarding the murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson misses the point. The murder of this CEO was not justified. However, the anger of US citizens about a dysfunctional health system is justified.
This opinion seems to make numerous excuses for private insurers and blames Congress. Both parties are guilty. The opinion recites a litany of problems in healthcare without suggesting that someone is responsible for the US health system. The real issue this opinion ignores is that Americans have reached a breaking point—the abuses of the healthcare system on patients and caregivers have pushed people over the edge. The outpouring of arguments over healthcare injustices and the lack of serious solutions is why someone was compelled to make a statement for society by murdering a CEO.
Wake up Congress and healthcare leadership - significant changes to the health system are needed quickly.
Solutions start with simplification and a single payment model that rewards the correct behavior. Today’s payment model, based on a highly complex coding system, actually discourages doctors from talking with patients and each other. It encourages fraud and abuse with a complicated coding system that no matter how many regulations we add encourages bad behavior.
We need to focus on simple solutions that encourage good patient care, not denials. Go to www.thejourneys-end.org for some practical solutions.
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