title: Can consumers cure healthcare?
abstract: The U.S. healthcare delivery system is in crises. Costs are too high and increasingly becoming unaffordable to federal and state governments, employers and consumers. Americans are dissatisfied with the current system and believe it should be fundamentally altered or rebuilt. A solution needs to be found, and it is not the single-payer system espoused by many in Washington and elsewhere. We believe consumers can cure healthcare if (a) professionals, providers and policy experts shift their mindset from treating diseases and conditions to taking a holistic approach to the caring of people, particularly Baby Boomers and their parents; (b) technology becomes widely available to increase engagement, personalize healthcare, share experiences, make better choices and embrace convenience and (c) a cost-effective and reimbursed primary care navigator (coordinator and/or health manager), consistent with the medical home concept espoused by the American Association of Family Practitioners (AAFP) becomes a central component of public policy.
authors.affiliation: Healthcare Convergence Associates.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gruber
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003256:Community Participation; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D018166:Health Care Reform / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007256:Information Systems; D008875:Middle Aged; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult