As members of Congress continue the arduous work of cobbling together healthcare reform legislation patients and consumers should hope that they are listening to the likes of Dr. Robert Galvin, Chief Medical Officer at General Electric.  I have to admit that after speaking with Dr. Galvin for some time last week about his career in clinical practice and his 15 years in the corporate setting researching, piloting, and sharing best practices in healthcare delivery and financing, I am now a huge fan. http://www.health.mil/dhb/members/20080812/Galvin_final_bio.pdf

I am a fan of:

• A physician designing a health plan http://bit.ly/3guTXM
• Emphasis on incentives for patients to choose high-quality low-cost care without unduly limiting choice
• Creating a transparent marketplace so patients have a basis for choice http://www.centerforpaymentreform.org/
• Payments to providers based on achieving quality goals, eliminating waste, and controlling costs in collaboration with other healthcare providers http://www.bridgestoexcellence.org/
• Leveraging the power of purchasers to  compel improvements in patient safety http://www.leapfroggroup.org/

Large employers, like GE, have served as a testing ground for many of the major elements of health reform.  Let’s use their lessons as a platform to accelerate meaningful changes in the healthcare system that  benefit us all.