What if we were truly responsible for our healthcare?  The truth is when it comes to insurance coverage and cost, we are not “individually” responsible.  We get into groups and benefit from those who are healthy to reduce our insurance cost.  We want to be in a group of individuals who eat right, don’t drink, don’t smoke, exercise, aren’t overweight; everything that the average American isn’t.  We get to benefit from them not using their insurance by way of lower premiums to us.  The flip side is; if you are healthy, and do all those things we’re supposed to do, you actually pay higher premiums than you should.  You pay literally hundreds of dollars every month and, perhaps, go to your primary care physician once a year for a physical.  Your costs are higher while others whine that it isn’t fair they can’t afford healthcare.

Don’t you wish automobile insurance worked that way?  Why, those of us that shirk responsibility could take comfort in lower premiums from those irritating idiots that drive the speed limit, use their blinkers when turning or changing lanes and will actually let people in front of them on the highway, and they happily do so I might add.  We could drive like a bat out of Hades; who cares if we get a ticket.  If someone tries to cut us off, just put a little crease in their fender.  After all, we have the right to automobile insurance, and we have the right to have our cars fixed or replaced if we recklessly destroy them…don’t we? 

Unfortunately, no. 

Why is it we are responsible for our property and the property of others, but we aren’t responsible for our own health?  I know, I know, there are a lot of people that have health problems that isn’t their fault.  I am also not saying we don’t need healthcare reform; we do.  And I realize my satirical comments may be a little over the top, but it begs the question; are we focusing our reform efforts in the right place?  We tend to fall into a category of self entitlement instead of accountability.  Want reform?  Let’s first make Healthcare Reform = Healthcare Responsibility.

 —Marty Hudson

More and more smoking bans are being implemented in communities across the country.  The debate of such bans also continues.  The fact that smoke and second-hand smoke is harmful is not debatable; the freedom of who smokes, when they smoke and where they smoke is debatable, but we won’t go there on this blog.

The CDC asked a committee of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to assess data on the relationship of second-hand smoke and coronary artery events.  In short, they determined an association between second-hand smoke, cardio-vascular disease and acute coronary events. 

The IOM also determined smoking bans are effective at reducing the risk for heart failure and cardio-vascular disease.  Reductions of between 6% and 47% of heart attacks were realized where smoking bans were enacted. 

You can read more about the IOM’s findings in Cardiology Today at http://www.cardiologytoday.com/view.aspx?rid=44613.

Check back with us next week when I am going to blog something to think about when it comes to healthcare reform.  I am not going to delve into the politics of such, but with a little satire I will touch on what I mean by Smoking Bans…Could that be REAL Healthcare Reform?

—Marty Hudson

We continue to see “Honesty” vs. “Denial” as the trend when things go wrong in healthcare. “I’m sorry”, works in building a caring relationship between the patient and provider when things don’t go according to plan. Patients want to know their provider cares and are listening to their concerns.

On the other hand, the vast majority of the time the standard of care was in fact met. In this case the doctors still should meet with the patient and family and explain what happened, open medical charts, and answer all questions. This approach will reduce the number of unmeritorious cases; which account for 60 to 80 percent of all medical malpractice lawsuits.

A major reason for patients to sue a provider is anger. More often than not, anger increases during periods of silence and denial of information regarding their situation.  Many times when a patient files a lawsuit they are not doing so because they ‘want to sue somebody’, but they just want to know what happened. They are looking for answers.

The patient-provider relationship is the key factor in determining whether or not the patient is likely to pursue litigation. People don’t tend to sue someone they like. Listening to patients and taking action based on their feedback will assist you and your organization in developing a caring relationship with your patients.  Being open, communicating, sharing information and Honesty is The Best Policy.

—Marty Hudson

What does it take to be a leader?  I don’t think any of the following will surprise you, and most, if not all, might well be included in everyone’s answer, but do you really know the summation of it all?  Read to the end and find out.

Leaders are first a servant of those they lead.  Not a one who issues directives nor a disciplinarian.  They are a teacher, they possess knowledge and provide a source of information.  They set the standard. 

Leaders do not follow behind those they lead with a whip, they are out in front with a banner.  They don’t say, ‘Get going.’  Instead, they say, ‘Let’s go!’  

Leaders are people builders.  They help those around them to grow.  They realize the more strong people exist in an organization, the stronger it will be.

Leaders use their heart as well as their head.  After they look at the facts with their head, they take a look with their heart too.

Leaders have a sense of humor and humility.  They are not stuffed shirts.  They can laugh at themselves and with others.   

Leaders can be led and have an open mind.  They are not as interested in having their way as they are in finding the best way. 

These qualities exist in all of us.  We just have to let them out.  Sometimes it makes us feel vulnerable, and that’s part of being a leader too.  We’re human, no one wants to follow a robot and no one will follow a tyrant for very long.  Once you relax and let these qualities come out, it’s easy; Leadership Just Requires You to be You.

—Marty Hudson