Economics and Health Care Policy

[Guest guest]

I think that the post by Dick Hillyer regarding Student Affiliations, and the role that economics is playing on this issue, is very important for the group to understand. It is very difficult (impossible?) to argue economics. This post should be required reading for every practicing therapist talking about our issues.

The major point that I would take from Dick's post is that Public Opinion drives Public Policy. Any of our elected officials are most concerned about the feelings and desires of their constituents. Some of them are so enamored of public opinion, that they will not roll over in bed without taking a poll (now who would do that!).

It is for this reason that I am so concerned about any profession being more concerned with the referral relationships than the relationship with the patients we serve. It is these patients who can help support our causes, but only if they understand them and if it is in their best interest. We must all understand this basic process... Opinion becomes Policy which becomes Legislation which becomes Regulation.

What I think we forget sometimes, is that our position, however strongly we may feel it, is not shared by the general public. Our issues are not their issues, unless we make them their issues. It is unrealistic for any of us to think that the public is going to give a tinkers' **** about how our incomes are being affected. Do we really think the public is concerned about Physician income dropping from a median of $200,000 to $195,000? Well, they are not concerned about our incomes either. Remember that the median Family income in the U.S. is in the neighborhood of $35,000 (not sourced).

The message has to be: it's not about Assets, It's about Access. It's not about Finance, it's about Function.

Ken Mailly, PT

President

Mailly Consulting Inc.

Director of Government Affairs

aptanj

khmailly@...