Curing the Cancer in Healthcare

Abstract

Abstract Cancer occurs when an organ in the body or a part of a system goes rogue and grows without limit, eventually killing the host. Healthcare systems worldwide are critically ill with cancer. Patients are experiencing death-by-queue. Systems thinking exposes the cancer in healthcare, its mechanism of action, and how to cure it. Manifestations of healthcare cancer include shortages, especially of physicians; dollar inefficient, over-spending by most nations, particularly the U.S.; medical care itself unaffordable for most people; and accessibility to care so limited that people are dying waiting in line for care. Effects of malignancy in healthcare include flouting the law; taking away medical autonomy; asserting a right to health care that is incompatible with freedom; elimination of the fiduciary relationship; and imposition of medical tyranny. The cancer imposes its will on healthcare systems by controlling its financing and thereby controlling medical decision-making. The cure involves restoring decision-making authority – both financial and medical – to the patients, taking it away from the cancer. Details of this “cure” are discussed including impacts on patients, providers, and finances. Patient-controlled health care is the only way to achieve timely, compassionate, quality, affordable care to We the Patients.