Healthcare Reform

One of the big news here in America today is about the bill of Healthcare Reform.  The passing of the Healthcare Reform fundamental changes the health system in America.  It's a milestone step, but I wouldn't comment if it's good or bad.  However, I would like to talk about the impact to me being as Healthcare IT guru.

This Healthcare bill will add about 32 millions of uninsured Americans to the under staff health care system.  Primary care providers are already in severe shortage, and yet they are the first gateway of all the patients who seek medical attentions.  In addition, allied health staffs such as nurses are in shortage too.  How can we care for these additional 32 millions Americans.  We can add 32 millions of Americans in one day, but there is no way that we can even add additional 32 thousands of doctors and nurses in a year.

So, what can we do??  I think this is how innovation comes in.  American Healthcare systems need to reduce medical waste and improve efficiency to delivery healthcare to patients.  People who have both worked in healthcare facility can tell you many ways how one can reduce waste and improve efficiency, and yet these improvements were difficult to tackle due to unwillingness of people and other factors.  Activities, such as TeleHealth, Health information exchange are just some of the technology that we might use to delivery more efficiency healthcare as information hopefully can flow between between medical providers if these technologies are implemented correctly.

I am hopefully and yet caution about how this reform changes the lives of million Americans and an industry accounts for 16% GDP.  I cheer for the pay for performance and simplify healthcare administration, but I am not excited for the potential premiums increased as I might have a so called "Cadillac Plan".  One thing I am certain is that numerous working opportunities being as healthcare IT guru.   Now, may be it's time to polish your skills to acquire an Healthcare IT certification.