Health reform discussion and legislation is on a fast track in Washington, DC. All the players say we must provide quality health insurance to the 47 million uninsured. Everyone agrees on this and this is a huge step forward since the Clinton days.

How we structure the new health plan and who pays for it is still in question. It is interesting to hear the various interest groups --insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, medical equipment providers, doctors/dentists, etc. – to opine about the importance of protecting the current profit margin of their industry. It seems that the discussion in Washington is about how we can reform health care and still protect the profit margins of the folks who are currently making big bucks.

It seems to me that we should be more focused on how we can provide quality health and health care for all Americans at a cost taxpayers can afford. As a nation we already pay more for our health care than any other industrialized county in the world. Clearly the insurance, pharmaceutical, medical equipments, hospitals, doctors/ dentist are going to have to change how they do business and how they charge for their services. The federal government is going to have to incentivize quality rather than quantity and prevention needs to be given an increased amount of attention and funding.

The next few months may be historic in our nation’s history as Congress attempts to make quality health and health care more accessible to all Americans. Please let your federal elected officials know how you feel about various reform measures that are currently being discussed.

Labels: health care reform

Knee replacement surgery is not for the faint of heart. It has been a little over two weeks since my wife had her surgery and she is getting better every day. Thank you to the many folks who told us stories about others who successfully completed this procedure. Also, thanks to those of you who kept us in your thoughts and prayers.

A few days ago my wife had her staples removed and she can now drive to her rehab appointments. We are told that it will take many more weeks before is fully recovered, but at least we are starting to see progress.

This afternoon I started to get back into the work routine. It was so hard to be away from the Foundation for the last two weeks and now that I am back to work I have called my wife a few times to make sure she can handle the rehab workouts without me. In reality, things are going very well both at the Foundation and at home – without much assistance from me.

It is a privilege to work for an inspiring board and with dedicated and talented associates. Sometimes it takes being away from the work that you find meaningful and fulfilling to realize how much you really love it.

One of Mr. K’s associates at Marion Laboratories --Jim McGraw -- once told me that happiness is:

Someone to love
Work to be done
Something to look forward to

By this definition, I am happy person!