Reinvent the Heal

America’s health care delivery system is in disarray. Politicians on both sides of the aisle believe that they have the answer. But, fixing this problem does not lend itself to a political solution. Ultimately a meaningful solution is one that only physicians can offer. This is as it should be, but it is not happening. This book is my attempt to recast my journey in medicine as one that I believe has isolated the problem and found a solution. It begins with my observations in medical school, my fledgling attempt to be a good doctor, and ultimately my discovery of the problem and its solution. There is no question but we have the most marvelous and sophisticated health care system in the world, but our patient outcomes leave much to be desired when compared with those of other industrialized countries. Our rising health care expenditures, the asymmetry in the delivery of our health care system, and the calcified ideology of both the political right and left are sources of concern. I have attempted to share my insight with our citizenry in hopes that a concerted voice will be forthcoming demanding those changes from the health care industry that it and the government have been unable to accomplish. Without these changes a political solution will win out and mediocrity will replace quality. Time is short. Both political parties are sparring in an effort to imprint their ideology on a roadmap ostensibly designed to fix the problem, but one that does not come close to dealing with the salient issue. The strength inherent in a unified voice of the people will galvanize the industry and my hope is that this book will serve as a stimulus.