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Health-care reform will take time, have many facets

By: Keena Rhoten

Health-care reform is one of the hot topics of concern for our nation at this time. I don’t think there is a person in our country who doesn’t think there needs to be some type of reform; however, there may be arguments as to how to bring the many “proposals” that are on the table to “reality.”

Take heed; this will not be an instantaneous process. It will take many years.

As I watched the presidential address to congress that was televised this month, I tried to listen diligently to what I, as I’ve tried to instill in my children, feel like will impact issues most important to me.

How is health-care reform going to affect me, my career, my personal life and me as a woman? After all, we all think of how it is going to affect us, and our elected officials have to look at a much larger picture with more variables.

First and foremost, I must say to all those with a political agenda out there, this column IS NOT meant for that purpose. We are going to concentrate on how health-care reform will impact women. And this, in essence, affects all of us. Chances are if you are a man, there is a very important woman in your life so read up on issues that affect her.

Of note, since this is a highly controversial topic, my biography below lists my membership with state and national professional nursing organizations. Their affiliation with any political party or endorsement of such in no way reflects what I see as priorities for health-care reform.

I am a nurse, a mother, a daughter, a niece, a granddaughter, and a woman fortunate enough to be loved by a wonderful man! So, my perspective to you will come on behalf of all of these roles, along with some pertinent professional perspective I can elaborate on as a nurse of almost 20 years.

Most of what I consider priorities are based upon what I see as the need for there to be ACCESS to affordable, quality health care. Are you listening insurance companies? Reform needs to start here.

Premiums continue to rise for employers, which in turn trickles down to their employees. Small businesses can’t even begin to be able to provide affordable health-care insurance reasonably to their employees. Unless you work for a large corporation, access to affordable insurance is almost impossible.

So those who work for themselves, own their own businesses, or have been the unfortunate victim of job loss in this economy probably account for the largest population of uninsured.

Increasing cost of insurance directly correlates with needed tort reform. A cap on attorneys’ fees should be MANDATED in all medical malpractice suits along with restitution appropriate according to each individual case, also capped, to those who are victims.

The judgements and/or settlements of some of these cases indirectly drive the cost of health care out the roof. Just a note to ALL; physicians and nurses go into our respectful professions to care for our fellow human beings. We follow a code of ethics and take it very seriously. We are passionate about our jobs. Remember, we are patients, too!

Let’s continue in chronology here. Increasing cost of malpractice insurance for providers driven by litigation has led health-care providers to practice defensive medicine.

What is defensive medicine? An example would be ordering multiple high-cost tests when they may not be “necessary,” but the provider is anticipating what might happen if these tests are not ordered. It’s sort of like driving in rush hour traffic. You trust you and your skills, but you’re defensive on the road for fear of others. Perhaps not the best analogy but an idea of what this means and why there is a need for tort reform.

How can we, as women and patients, begin to take our part in health-care reform? Let me begin a sermon on my passion; PREVENTATIVE CARE! It is time for us to take RESPONSIBILITY for our health.

How about another car comparison? You change the oil in your car, rotate and change tires as needed, follow maintenance schedules as deemed by mileage, and do all you can to maintain the life of your vehicle as long as you can.

Why not do the same for your body? Take the initiative! Keep you annual physicals with your health-care provider and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Are you uninsured? The health department is your first phone call. They are there to educate you and provide care BEFORE you are sick as well as when you are sick. Preventative care is much more cost-effective. Ladies, I know you may hate having pelvic exams, but the cost of a Pap smear is much cheaper and much less traumatic than a diagnosis of cervical cancer, surgery and/or cancer treatment.

What else can women do? Get vaccinated as recommended by the Center for Disease Control unless you have contraindications. Teach these behaviors to our children, primarily a healthy lifestyle along with preventative health care. Set the example and live the example! Push this on to those in our lives that we love.

Teach and practice good dietary habits. Heart disease, diabetes, and other costly medical problems can be the trickle-down effect of obesity, which may be genetic or caused by other health issues, but primarily is something we all can control by maintaining healthy lifestyles. You don’t have time? Make time. It is important.

I always want to see my patients take care of themselves but will never judge them based upon what circumstance brings them to my hands for care.

I want to see our nation continue to be a leader in technology and advancement in health care but I also want there to be change.

I am not a politician. I am a nurse. I am a woman. Health-care reform may never be where I would like to see it during my career or my lifetime, but we need to come together and work for a common goal: Life.

--------Health & Wellness--------

Keena Rhoten RNC-OB, BSN is clinical director of Appalachian OB/GYN Associates and East Tennessee OB/GYN Associates in Kingsport. She is a member of the Tennessee Nurses Association, American Nurses Association, and the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses. E-mail questions, comments, and topics of interest in women’s health to rhotenkr@msha.com or 10cnurse@charter.net.