Supply, Demand, Universal Coverage as Transformational?

I saw a blog post from my Twitter stream today that was quite interesting by the Compass Group, Inc. They have great a great blog by the way. I am following it as soon as this posting is completed.

What it stimulated for me was examining the framing of the whole universal coverage conversation as this dynamic of contention as well as the wording. My response to the article which talked about supply and demand. "Supply goes down, prices go up"
the article shared, especially where personnel are concerned.

This theme was in relationship to what health reform would really create as an effect in terms of bringing costs down if there is already a weakened supply. Naturally the economic rule/principle applies and how can we avoid it?: They say greater efficiency and I generally agree.

My feedback to the blog post was as follows:

Great article. What strikes me about what you describe is whether or not we will actually increase those seeking care? If indigent care is costing a public hospital like Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta where I live more than $250 Million per year and umpteen billions nationally , what happens if there is coverage? Is it possible that the result of universal coverage is increased employment of healthcare professionals, better preventive measures, and fewer complex procedures that are paid for through premiums of the insured and state and local government intervention? I am not saying that it is going to happen, but is it possible?

What kind of country do we want to live in? One where some are sick and cost those who are well and/or are getting care significant resources and perhaps resentment (like now)? or One where all can be taken care of, not at the expense or resentment of others?

My premise is that a well thought out universal coverage (not universal healthcare control as some interpret or socialized medicine as some fear) system can actually create a healthcare environment that benefits practically everyone, haves and have nots, those currently covered and those not covered, the employed and unemployed, etc. Essentially, we would be on the road in my opinion towards tackling health disparities, addressing cultural competency with a reduced access burden allowing us to really make it a QUALITY dynamic in addition to a moral or regulatory one, etc.

We have a choice, resist change to extent that we see things repeat themselves or start correcting the path we are on, adjust along the way and step into possibility. We all know something has to be done--what are we resisting when we dismiss it other than the notion that as individuals we might get less than we have now? Notions of that nature will do little to transform/reform/elevate our healthcare standing and our standing for being as great as this country is.

Make it a great day!