U.S. Healthcare Delivery Is In Critical Condition But Failure Is Not An Option. What’s Next?

While signs of a new market-based model, defined by greater accountability, payment connected to outcomes and greater transparency in cost and quality, are afoot, this can only be fully realized if delivery organizations pivot in a way that puts the patient consumer squarely at the center. The U.S. healthcare delivery system is in critical condition. As I explained in my last column, in the wake of Covid-19, many hospitals and health systems have been forced to focus their time, energy and resources to address severe operational challenges, including the impact of higher staff wages and benefits along with increased medical staff shortages and burnout. They must also come to grips with outside competitors stepping in to fill the gaps left by a broken fee-for-service (FFS) reimbursement model that has long failed to deliver on the basics: efficiency, affordability, accessibility, transparency and most importantly, health outcomes.