Patients Are Powerful

As a Chicago chiropractor, I wait anxiously along with my patients and the rest of the country for the passing of a new comprehensive and compassionate Health Care Bill. And, along with the questions of cost and inclusiveness that everyone is asking, I believe that we should also be asking if an overhaul of the U.S. heathcare system will include simplification? Let’s face it, our current system is not only horribly expensive and amazingly ineffective, it is inherently complicated. When a person is ill, and may be in need of surgery or recovering from it, the last thing that they should have to worry about are complex insurance issues, sorting through mountains of bills, making certain that the proper medications are given, and that appropriate arrangements for follow-up treatment are made. Thanks to the dedicated patient advocate, these questions often do get answered.

However, if the new Health Bill falls short of simplification, as most Congressional Bills tend to do, through patient advocacy, patients will still have the “extra strength” they’ll need in order to stay informed when talking to the doctors, in getting to see a desired specialist, in ensuring that the pills that they are given are the ones meant for them, and, if necessary, in negotiating for any additional help that they may require and the fees charged for the services.

This is just part of the great service that patient advocates provide today. And, I suspect that no matter what happens to the healthcare system in the future, with the scores of aging baby boomers demanding, as they should, to receive the proper and affordable health care they require, the patient advocate will still be a vital part of any health environment.

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