In the debate regarding the 80th percentile rule currently being carried out in these pages, both sides claim to be the better choice for Alaskans concerned about rising health care costs. Thus far, however, the patient’s point of view has not been adequately considered. As has been amply demonstrated in medical centers, teaching hospitals, community hospitals, clinics and medical offices throughout the country, the very best care is that which is provided at the highest value, with the value being measured by dividing outcomes (quality) by price. We also know that care systems that appropriately involve patients in their own care show greatly improved, high-value results.
I urge all those responsible for the provision of health care in Alaska to study the results of the extensive research conducted by the National Institutes of Health and universities such as the University of California at San Francisco on the subject of quality management of health care: after all, our real goal should be (quoting the NIH) to create system design, policies, and processes that minimize, if not eliminate, harm while optimizing patient care and outcomes. It’s value, not price, that should be our primary consideration regarding overall costs.
— Albert J. Alvarez
Eagle River
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