With or without ObamaCare, health reform is already in the works

As one listens to the constant drum of punditry in the news media, it might seem that healthcare reform may only occur if ObamaCare passes. The truth is, healthcare reform began months ago and is rapidly picking up steam as a result of the American Reinvestment Recovery Act (ARRA).

I recently attended one of the Health Information Technology & Exchange (HIE) stakeholder meetings in my state, which like other states, is rushing to finalize its proposal to compete for billions of dollars in stimulus funds earmarked for health care. Besides maximizing California’s access to critical ARRA stimulus funds, the objectives of the HIE strategy project stakeholder meetings are:

• To ensure that patients have safe, secure access to their personal health information and the ability to share that information with others involved in their care.
• To engage in an open, inclusive, collaborative, public-private process that supports widespread HIE adoption and a robust, sustainable statewide health information exchange.
• To integrate and synchronize the planning and implementation of HIE, HealthIT, telehealth and provider incentive program components of the federal stimulus act. 
• To improve health care outcomes and reduce costs. 
• To ensure accountability in the expenditure of public funds. 
• To improve public health through stronger public health program integration, bio-surveillance and emergency response capabilities.

Ignore the political pundits. Competition for the billions of dollars are in essence the seeds of change and as a result healthcare reform is already sweeping throughout the nation, hopefully for the better!

William T. Choctaw MD, JD is a healthcare leadership expert. He lectures nationally on many medical legal issues for hospital medical staffs, hospital executives, and managers. He recently authored the book, “Avoiding Medical Malpractice: A Physician’s Guide to the Law.” Dr. Choctaw continues to practice general surgery in Southern California.