Cincinnati Children's Blog
  • Y&H Podcast
  • Newsletter Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
  • Healthy Living
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Heart Conditions
  • Learning and Growing
  • Research and Discoveries
  • Blog
  • Healthy Living
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Heart Conditions
  • Learning and Growing
  • Research and Discoveries
  • Y&H Podcast
  • Newsletter Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us
HOME/Health Care Public Policy/Waste not, want not

Waste not, want not

 

October 29, 2009
Thomas McCormally
0 Comments

The headline of this post is something I heard my grandmother say over and over. Or maybe it was my mother. Anyway, it’s something those who lived through the Great Depression learned and it became a part of their being.

There have been reports that suggest as we learn to live with less through this current economic downturn, it could translate into leaner times for the long term. Good news or bad news, depending on your perspective (do you want people to spend or save?).

But what does that have to do with health care and this blog? Just this … from The Advisory Board

“Lawmakers at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing yesterday in Washington, DC, said that the federal government needs to bolster efforts to fight fraud and waste within the Medicare and Medicaid programs to help pay for a health care overhaul. According to some estimates, the U.S. loses at least $60 billion annually to waste and fraud within the health care system, while other estimates put the figure as high as 10% of the more than $2 trillion the U.S. spends annually on health care.

“During the hearing, Judiciary Committee Chair Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) joined four other Democrats in announcing a bill that would strengthen the federal sentencing guidelines for health care fraud and authorize an additional $20 billion annually to help fight fraud. However, some Republicans at the hearing expressed doubts that the federal government is capable of addressing fraud properly, particularly if the government enacts a public plan as part of health reform.”

We’re watching closely what happens in Washington as our government officials work on health care reform. And we’re serious about operating more efficiently — cutting out waste wherever possible.

One area where we’ve made great improvements is in “patient flow,” using our space, our staff and our beds more efficiently.

This is real savings. And the more improvements we make, the better the system will function, the more cost effective it will be and the closer we can get to a system that has as its number-one goal: better health for all.

Stay tuned.

Related Articles

 

Warm Weather Guide to Water Safety
 

Summer Eye Safety and Care for Kids 
 

Whippits, Huffing and Nitrous Gas: What Kids Are Inhaling for a High
 

Need a Sports Physical? See Your Pediatrician
TAGS:

About the author: Thomas McCormally

Write A Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

No Comments Yet

Topics

  • Cancer and Blood Diseases
  • Child Development and Behavior
  • Childhood Obesity
  • Chronic Care Networks
  • Cincinnati Walks for Kids
  • Featured Faces
  • Fetal Conditions
  • Fitness and Nutrition
  • Food Allergies
  • Ghana 2012
  • Health Care Public Policy
  • Health Care Quality
  • Health Care Reform
  • Healthy Living
  • Heart Conditions
  • Hospital Operations
  • Learning and Growing
  • Nurses Week 2012
  • Patient Family Experience
  • Patient Flow
  • Patient Safety
  • Pin of the Week
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Research and Discoveries
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Share Your Story
  • Technology
  • The Young & Healthy Podcast
  • Uncategorized
  • Vaccines
  • Volunteerism
  • What's New
See All Topics
See Less Topics

Subscribe

Subscribe today to our family newsletter for tips, blog posts, podcasts and more.

Subscribe Now

Popular Posts

  • 6 Questions to Ask When Your Child Complains of Chest Pain 875 views

  • Lean, Purple Drank, Sizzurp: A Dangerous Teenage Drink 705 views

  • Stuttering In Young Kids: When To Be Concerned 613 views

  • Should I Worry If My Child’s Chest Is Sunken? 277 views

  • Tips for Helping Babies Transition to Cow’s Milk 270 views

  • How To Increase Calories In Your Underweight Child’s Diet 269 views

About

The Cincinnati Children’s blog features thoughts and perspectives from our experts on all things pediatric health. This blog does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Learn More »

Contact Us
  • 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3026
  • 1-513-636-4200 | 1-800-344-2462
  • TTY: 1-513-636-4900
  • socialmedia@cchmc.org
Connect With Us
  • Newsletter Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us

© 2009-2025 Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center