State Sen. June Robinson’s recent commentary addressed the increasing cost of health care resulting from consolidation and private equity (for profit corporations). The takeover of health care delivery leaves both consumers and medical professionals fighting increased expenses, mediocre health care and burnout. Ask yourself, “How many primary care providers have I had over the past five years? How satisfied am I with my health care?”
Senate Bill 5083 aims to enact fair pricing rates for hospitals, fund more primary care and behavioral health while keeping hospitals financially stable. Passage of SB 5387 is assurance that only licensed health care professionals (HCPs), not for-profit executives, decide what is in your best interests.
Pacific Northwest providers are some of the smartest in our country. Their ability to deliver high-quality, patient centered care is stifled by the corporate goal of increasing profits.
What has not changed is the goal of your HCP. That goal remains to provide the best care for you and your community to attain and maintain healthy lifestyles.
Over a 40-year career as a nurse and pediatric nurse practitioner in this community, I witnessed changes from a mission-based focus of serving those in need to the objective of producing revenue. My education provided me with a strong foundation in child behavior and development, wellness, and illness. However, good practice was to partner with the parents. Neither partner controlled the other.
Case in point: Corporate takeover of medical practices forces providers to prioritize financial gain over the quality of your life. Who do you want to manage your medical care? Wall Street, or the licensed professional dedicated to keeping you healthy?
Patricia Warme Freeburg
Snohomish
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