President's Message

Why Universal Access Is So Important

Grappling with universal access has occupied a monumental amount of time and energy from all stakeholders in the health care system -- physicians, insurers, payers, patients, and government officials. The rewards of these efforts promise to be huge: better access to good health care -- and a healthier Commonwealth.

Universal access will also encourage all of us to practice preventive care. Especially with children, prevention is a most effective way to enhance public health and restrain future health care costs. Expanded coverage is also a key step toward eliminating the health care disparities that lead to poor outcomes and shorter lifespans for some of our citizens.

But universal access requires universal responsibility. All the aforementioned stakeholders must cooperate as members of the same team, albeit with different roles. Putting whatever comes out of the state Legislature into action will require something from all of us.

It is necessary for physicians to continue developing and adhering to evidence-based clinical practice guidelines and to reaffirm their commitment to use resources rationally.

Insurers need to design new plans with affordable premiums, copays, and deductibles. The business community, which has shouldered the brunt of health insurance costs, must become even more universally involved in covering their workers -- a fact that legislators on Beacon Hill recently recognized (see related article).

It’s virtually certain that patients from all socioeconomic strata will be called upon to pitch in as well. And many patients could redouble their efforts to make difficult lifestyle changes that will improve their health and prevent future illness. Now is the time for physicians to speak openly with their patients about all this.

Elected and appointed government officials need to resolve their differences and pass legislation that will facilitate sustainable and affordable universal access. That includes MMS-supported legislation that will help revive the debilitated physician practice environment in this state. Although the most recent agreement at the State House was arduous, long in coming, and at this writing still tentative, it’s a good example of successful negotiation.

We need to align all stakeholders on the same side of the table to work together and solve the problems at the other side of the table. We all can agree on the important issues of enhancing patient safety, accurately measuring and continuously improving the quality of care we deliver, and reasonably controlling costs. Now is the time to align our interests and work together for significant improvements in these areas.

– Alan M. Harvey, M.D., M.B.A.