Philip A. Greiner, DNSc, RN, associate dean for Public Health and Entrepreneurial Initiatives at Fairfield University's School of Nursing, who has an extensive background in community healthcare, says the nation's healthcare system is near collapse and cannot be fixed on a state level. Worse, increased testing and procedures, driven by profit motives, are placing patients at higher risk for injury or death. Below is his take on some of the pressing issues that President Obama is likely to address tonight at his press conference.

• Many people take the position that our healthcare system is ok the way it is, in part because they do not know any other system. They believe much of the disinformation about 'socialized medicine,' and they are afraid to lose coverage or have care rationed. They do not see the reality of portions of the healthcare system careening from crisis to crisis with the threat of collapse not far away.
• A recent article in the New York Times highlighted how profit is driving medical treatment more than patient need, with increased testing and procedures placing patients at higher risk of injury or death than if nothing was done.
• Is healthcare really broken? Yes, it is on the verge of collapse because a market-driven competitive model does not work for healthcare. Why must the solution come from the federal government? Because a national solution is needed to mandate systemic change. It cannot be left to individual states or there will be potentially 50 different plans. Until people begin to understand the risks of not making changes now, they will not support the healthcare changes that need to be made."

Posted On: 07-23-2009 10:07 AM

Volume: 42 Number: 11