Perspectives in Health SystemTransformation  

It's been said that "any [health] plan that relies on the 'sheep' to negotiate with the wolves is doomed to failure". This statement was made by Dr. Atul Gawande in a priceless piece published in The New Yorker on June 1st, 2009. When Dr. Gawande uses the term sheep, he means you and I, the consumers of healthcare services, as we try to understand, navigate and beneficially negotiate price terms under which we consciously, or even unconsciously, enter the complex health system. There is a strong suggestion that the playing field is not level. In this program we intend to do our part, in leveling that playing field somewhat. Here is the Gawande link to the reference article: http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/06/01/090601fa_fact_gawande Another excellent reference is was released 6/2/09 by Christina Romer, Chair Council of Economic Advisors: http://www.whitehouse.gov/assets/documents/CEA_Health_Care_Report.pdf and: "A Strategy for Healtg Care Reform - Toward a Value Based System" by Michael E Porter, Ph.D.: http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/NEJMp0904131 Do check us out, let us know what's on your mind, and consider participating in a "HealthCamp" coming soon to your community. San Diego or southern California residents can check out http://healthcampsandiego.org/ for a taste of what is known in certain circles as "health 2.0".