Focus of our system must shift
The debate on how to improve our overall health care delivery system will continue until elected officials, health care providers, insurers and consumers come to consensus on a system that works best for our country. Health care is a major component of our gross national product, a figure that will only grow as utilization increases and innovations are brought to the marketplace.
Simply put, America cannot sustain its current spending. The system must begin to shift its focus from one that covers the cost of a disease once it is diagnosed, to one that promotes prevention to help us avoid chronic diseases annually costing Americans billions of dollars.
While changing our entire system is a mammoth job, there is one simple step that each and every one of us can take today which, when pooled together, offers the greatest positive impact: improving our own health.
“Wellness” has to be more than a buzzword of the day if we are to be successful at controlling costs. At Blue Cross, health and wellness is going to become the way we do business. We are serious about the wellness of our members, and all Kansans. We are currently developing new programs that will assist enrolled groups to encourage wellness among their employees. You will see us taking a leadership role in promoting the benefits of public smoking bans in Kansas and creating partnerships to improve the health of specific groups.
Our Web site and newsletters will continue to be helpful resources for you. By improving our health and avoiding the costs associated with preventable, chronic conditions we can have a positive impact on health care costs. Please join me today by committing to live a healthier, more active life.
Andrew C. Corbin, President/CEO