Industry News
The landscape of the outcomes-based wellness industry is constantly changing. At Bravo Wellness, it is our job as an industry leader to not only stay on top of these changes, but to also inform our clients and others as well. Here are some links to industry-related articles to give you a better view of the landscape.
Consumerism Versus ObamaCare
By Ronald E. Bachman, FSA, MSAA
President & CEO of Healthcare Visions, Inc.
Senior Fellow, Center for Health Transformation
Consumerism is about empowering individuals with information and a financial stake in their own health and healthcare. Unfortunately, ObamaCare move away from personal responsibility. ObamaCare is about limited choices, mandated coverages, regulated prices, and controlling individual decision-making. But, ObamaCare cannot shut out the forces of consumerism. Buried in the dark clouds of ObamaCare is the opening for consumerism to survive.
A key feature of healthcare consumerism is providing individuals with opportunities to be financially rewarded for doing the right activities that improve their health. Rewards can include activities such as, participation in a wellness assessment, attending a smoking cessation class, compliance with a condition management program (e.g. taking medications, diet, exercise, office visits), and maintenance of good health characteristics (e.g. blood pressure, cholesterol, nicotine use, body mass index).
Shifting America from Sick Care to Genuine Wellness
By Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa)
Washington, DC – With the Senate health committee convening daily to craft a comprehensive health reform bill, the basic outline of this landmark legislation is now clear.
Yes, it will ensure access to affordable, quality care for every American. But, just as important, it will hold down health care costs by creating a sharp new emphasis on disease prevention and public health.
As the lead Senator in drafting the Prevention and Public Health section of the bill, I view this legislation as our opportunity to recreate America as a genuine wellness society – a society that is focused on prevention, good nutrition, fitness, and public health.
The fact is, we currently do not have a health care system in the United States; we have a sick care system. If you’re sick, you get care, whether through insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP, community health centers, emergency rooms, or charity. The problem is that this is all about patching things up after people develop serious illnesses and chronic conditions.
