Healthcare Messages from Presidential Inauguration

Today is an important day in the US. The new President is inaugurated (although, technically it happened yesterday and today is just the parties). I heard one commentator say that it’s an important moment, because in many many other countries a new President isn’t met with such a peaceful event. This is one thing that sets the US apart from many other countries where Presidential inaugurations are met with riots and fighting.

I don’t really want to make this post a political post, but I’ve been watching some of the tweets coming across during the inauguration ceremonies and I thought they were interesting in the light of healthcare and the EMR world.

“We are made for this moment & we will seize it – so long as we seize it together.” —President Obama #inaug2013 twitter.com/whitehouse/sta…

— The White House (@whitehouse) January 21, 2013

The image has a quote, “America’s possibilities are limitless, for we possess all the qualities that this world without boundaries demands: Youth and Drive; Diversity and Openness: an Endless Capacity for Risk and a Gift for Reinvention.”

I think it’s ironic to consider that list to healthcare. As I noted at CHIME, there was a complete lack of youth at the conference. In some ways, healthcare is very diverse and open, but in many ways healthcare IT is still the “Old Boys Club.” I don’t think anyone would define healthcare as a place of risk and reinvention. In fact, I think most would say healthcare is very risk averse and needs some reinvention.

I don’t try and point these things out as a way of being negative. Instead, I think they highlight the potential opportunity in healthcare. I think some diverse youth with drive and openness, a capacity for risk and reinvention could do phenomenal things for healthcare. It’s a great opportunity for what I heard one person today call the “Steve Jobs” of healthcare.

“Now, more than ever, we must do these things together, as one nation, and one people.” —President Obama #inaug2013

— The White House (@whitehouse) January 21, 2013

This quote reminded me of many of the things happening with HIEs. An HIE just doesn’t work if people don’t come together for the betterment of the community as a whole.

Obama: “Together, we discovered that a free market only thrives when there are rules to ensure competition and fair play.” #inaug2013

— The White House (@whitehouse) January 21, 2013

I think this quote will be pretty controversial. Although, I couldn’t help but consider it in light of the effects of EHR certification and meaningful use. I’m sure that many small EHR vendors would be happy to argue that EHR certification and meaningful use requirements did the opposite of ensuring “competition and fair play.” As hospitals continue to consolidate, it’s going to be interesting how “competition and fair play” play out in healthcare.

Those are just a few thoughts that I captured from Twitter. I’d be interested to hear your thoughts.