Friday, June 04, 2004
A Note of Pessimism
Below are comments received from Leo Greenawalt, who has had a long and illustrious career as a hospital association executive, most recently in the state of Washington. Contrary to what my rantings might suggest, I am less pessimistic than him.
What other views are out there?
………………………………..
As I approach the end of my career (nearly all as an association executive) I must say that the lack of "systemness" is very discouraging. One likes to think he has made a difference, but the evidence gets more and more sparse.
What I can say is that I have done an excellent job in getting hospitals and others an ever growing percentage of the gross domestic product. It is hard to show a link with markedly improved health outcomes.
I am finding much more of my own sympathies tied to a more centralized and planned approach to health care. I have lost all belief that the market approach will produce anything meaningful in terms of improving health.
Below are comments received from Leo Greenawalt, who has had a long and illustrious career as a hospital association executive, most recently in the state of Washington. Contrary to what my rantings might suggest, I am less pessimistic than him.
What other views are out there?
………………………………..
As I approach the end of my career (nearly all as an association executive) I must say that the lack of "systemness" is very discouraging. One likes to think he has made a difference, but the evidence gets more and more sparse.
What I can say is that I have done an excellent job in getting hospitals and others an ever growing percentage of the gross domestic product. It is hard to show a link with markedly improved health outcomes.
I am finding much more of my own sympathies tied to a more centralized and planned approach to health care. I have lost all belief that the market approach will produce anything meaningful in terms of improving health.
