First is First

Dear Reader,

Health care is ridiculously confusing. I'm several years into a medical degree and several months into a second degree and only now am I starting to grasp the forces at play. I believe it's of critical importance that we all understand what is going on.

ACOs, PCMHs, CHCs? That alphabet soup is the future of our country. It's as confusing for medical students as it is for the medically uninitiated. Heck, its even confusing to most doctors. One thing is for certain though, the US health care system is in crisis. Health care occupies nearly 18% of the GDP and continues to grow; it threatens to consume the resources needed for other equally important priorities such as our struggling public education system. Health care reform, in one form or the other, is inevitable and absolutely necessary.

I'm sure that my liberal political stance will seep through in some of my writing but my purpose isn't to push one agenda or another. I want this blog to be a resource for those that don't have the luxury of studying health care full time, regardless of political leanings. Consider it a friendly and accessible vocabulary lesson in health policy.

Let's talk about reform. Let's articulate ourselves clearly. Let's step away from pure ideology towards pragmatism. I hope my writing in some way empowers you to clarify what you think about health care reform and better express those thoughts to those around you.

All the best,

Matthew