The Evolution of the Healthcare Industry: Bigger? Or Better?
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Lou Shapiro
President and CEO at Hospital For Special Surgery
I am bullish on many things in the healthcare industry and believe its future is more promising today than ever before. That said, I believe we also must be vigilant in order to ensure healthcare in this country doesn’t become unintentionally commoditized.
What do I mean by that? Commoditization in healthcare happens when buying decisions – made by consumers, governments or employers – are levied with economy and convenience as dominant factors and do not necessarily consider real measures of value, including quality and advanced outcomes measures. It’s akin to choosing a parachute based on price and availability. Receiving the right care at the right time is also a critical component of healthcare value.