Does the solution to fixing US Health Care lie in Holland?

I'd like to thank daily blog reader Chris Kramer, for pointing us towards this interesting article (pdf) from the Iowa Hospital Association. 

I found several things particularly interesting in this article.  One, the concept of managed competition for health insurers.  Two, that this concept was originally proposed 3 decades ago!  And three, that it seems to be working in Holland.  In all, this is a quick, but insightful read reminding us that very few ideas are really new. 

What matters is that ideas get action, and get viral!

For those very interested in the managed competition concept, check out Alain Enthoven's faculty bio page, particularly the press releases at the bottom.

ERIC

Comments

[sean]

Great,
More insurance companies open their own hospitals and clinics to monopolize the system.
while there are many other good points in this story, as a private practice owner, knowing the effects of RFP in hospitals and physician-owned clinics, this is the absolute worst way to do it in America.
Concentra and HealthSouth sold off their clinics in the US because they couldn't make ENOUGH money when forced to practice within MCR guidelines. I know of a local RFP who schedules 3 pts per clinician, per hour.
I can't speak about Dutch companies, but in the US, care will become worse if these systems are allowed to prosper.
I know of another "Not for profit" (yeah right) Hospital in Canton, OH who has their own HMO which also has bought up tons of land, built huge day surgery/PT clinics, and virtually monopolized healthcare in their region. By taking advantage of their "not for profit" status, they have virtually destroyed all competition. This is not capitalism, it is a government-endorsed monopoly which needs to be trust-busted. How many other Aultman's are out there?
I would like to know how the people view the Dutch system. Is it just better than the old way? Or is it really exceptional care?

[Mark Boncser]

Good points Sean. As a private practice owner there is not a level playing field with referrals and your example of the non-profit hospital is classic. How many physicians or their entities really disclose they own the PT and inform the pt. they have a choice?