In the article, Mr. Keefe calls Congress’ current efforts as efforts toward “stabilization” and not true reform. He states that true reform is about “massive societal attitude change” rather than just expanded coverage and changes to payment structures, according to the article.
Mr. Keefe says that when first diagnosed with diabetes, he relied on medication to treat his condition without changing his diet or exercising. After medication failed, he realized he needed a lifestyle change to improve his health. He lost 30 pounds and now needs only half of the medication he was originally taking to control his condition. Being healthier has cut his medication costs and reduced the amount of visits to his physician, according to the article.
Mr. Keefe argues that “the true promise of healthcare reform is a transformation to a system that prevents disease more than it treats it,” according to the article. He argues that the current healthcare system has enough funds but is not spending that money properly. He advocates for putting more money into prevention efforts.
