Competition in health care benefits patients
Milwaukee Business Journal, Aug. 17, 2007, by Dr. Nick Turkal
It's time to explode several long held myths about health care.
First, let's put to rest outdated information that metropolitan
Milwaukee far exceeds other Midwest communities in its health care
costs. Let's stop quoting numbers that are seven years old to create
doomsday rhetoric.
New data shows that our region is trending significantly downward
in costs. Employers and health care systems are working together,
and we've made progress on cost. That's good for business and the
Wisconsin economy.
Second, Aurora Health Care's costs are now at or below the
community average, according to new data from The Benefits Services
Group Inc. Taking costs out of operations, implementing efficiency
processes and our model of genuinely integrated care enable us to
lower costs. We're committed to continuing to drive these costs
down.
Third, construction makes up only a fraction of the cost of care.
The real overall cost is determined by insurance contracts between
businesses, health care systems and payers, as well as the way we
deliver care. Two-thirds of the care Aurora now provides is outside
of hospitals.
So we're more prudent about construction, building only what a
community needs today -- a clinic, a hospital, an Aurora Quick Care
or a mix of these. Furthermore, we're not spending as much on
construction as other health systems.
Fourth, competition is good. Let's compete on measurable quality,
service and overall cost. We'll be accountable to deliver affordable
care. Let patients, employers and communities hear the whole story
about where each system is competing. Let them have a choice as to
where they want care.
We're open to constructive dialogue and will continue to listen
to genuine issues and concerns. But, in fairness, let's do so with
facts, not myths or competitive posturing.
Dr. Nick Turkal is chief executive officer of Aurora Health
Care, Milwaukee.
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