NEW YORK, Oct 24, 2008 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Healthcare driven by data would help
create a premier system of medical care in the United States, a Republican, a
Democrat and a baseball personality say.
Evidence-based healthcare wouldn't deny physicians their decision-making
abilities nor supplant their expertise, former Republican House Speaker Newt
Gingrich, one-time Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry of
Massachusetts and Oakland Athletics' General Manager Billy Beane wrote in an
op-ed article published Friday in The New York Times.
Instead, "data and evidence should complement a lifetime of experience, so that
doctors can deliver the best quality care at the lowest possible cost," the
three wrote in advocating a new national healthcare model.
"Working closely with doctors, the federal government and the private sector
should create a new institute for evidence-based medicine," they said, which
would conduct new studies and review existing literature "to help inform our
nation's over-stretched medical providers."
The article also called on the U.S. government to increase Medicare
reimbursements and some liability protections for physicians following the
recommended clinical best practices.
When comparing the U.S. healthcare system with baseball, the three said
government leaders should learn from franchises that use data not dollars to
create line-ups -- such as the data-driven Tampa Bay Rays playing for the World
Series championship and the dollar-driven New York Yankees sitting in the
stands.
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Copyright 2008 by United Press International