To the editor: An outdated Soviet joke captures the hazard on this state of affairs (“Fed up with high prices, California weighs penalties against hospitals, other entities,” Aug. 24). After the federal government raises the worth of vodka, an alcoholic father’s hopeful son asks, “Daddy, does this imply you’ll drink much less?” “No,” the daddy replies. “You’ll eat much less.”
California Democrats are contemplating penalties for hospitals exceeding spending targets. Congressional Republicans’ reconciliation regulation cuts Medicaid spending. The insurance policies differ, however each threat making sufferers take in the sacrifice by misplaced protection, diminished entry or diminished companies and security.
Hospitals should get rid of avoidable operational waste. However monetary strain isn’t an operational street map. Earlier than cuts or penalties, policymakers ought to check and scale patient-flow optimization: distributing scheduled admissions so avoidable peaks don’t overwhelm hospitals.
The events could also be much less totally different than they imagine: Each threat making healthcare spend much less by inflicting sufferers to obtain much less.
Eugene Litvak, Lexington, Mass.
This author is president and chief govt of the Institute for Healthcare Optimization, a nonprofit devoted to enhancing the effectivity and high quality of healthcare supply techniques.
