Only Real Reform Can Enable Integrated Health Systems

Conn Carroll / August 18, 2009

The Washington Post and New York Times both have front page stories out today on Sen. Kent Conrad’s (D-ND) co-op fall back  for President Barack Obama’s imperiled public plan. The NYT reports: “The history of health insurance in the United States is full of largely unsuccessful efforts to introduce new models of insurance that would lower costs. And the health insurance markets of many states suggest that any new entrant would face many difficulties in getting established.” WaPo reads: “There are at least two major health-care organizations that could serve as models for Congress: HealthPartners in Minnesota and Group Health Cooperative, based in Seattle. They employ physicians and own health-care facilities, giving them greater power to control the delivery of care.”

HealthPartners and Group Health Cooperative are both high quality integrated health systems much like Intermountain Health in Colorado and Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, which have both been praised by President Barack Obama. These are all wonderful health care systems which can serve as models to other providers. But the reason they are so hard to replicate is not because of too little government intervention, but because of too much. (more…)