Coming changes in health care education?

Magnetron
Sun, 10 Feb 2013 21:13:50 +0000

Right now, there is a gambit being played by the insurance companies and the hospitals for complete control of access to care by driving independent practices out of business. Insurance companies are lowering reimbursements to independent practices, while keeping reimbursements to hospital owned clinics the same or increasing them. What is happening is a real shame - people needing healthcare will be rationed to what is “medically necessary” as deemed by the insurance company. I don’t know the exact numbers, but 20 years ago about 85% of physicians were independents. Now, its 44% and shrinking rapidly.

There has been talk for years about raising the minimum requirements for many healthcare workers, partially because, right now, colleges can not charge a premium for what is potentially a more lucrative career. I know some NP programs have gone from 2 years to 3, but with no added coursework, granting a DNP instead of an MSN.

We will see a change to the English system, where you either get the “insurance” plan or you pay cash for the independents, who will be force to set up boutique healthcare clinics catering to the wealthy. For now, it is still a pretty good time to get sick. 10 years from now it will not be.