Insurer CEO Pitches Health Care Reform in U.S. Tour
Humana CEO Michael McCallister on Tuesday in South Florida spoke with hospital officials and business leaders as part of a nationwide tour to recommend revisions to the U.S. health care system, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports. McCallister recommended that:
- The health care system become more efficient through increased use of computers;
- Physicians and hospitals end the practice of "defensive" medicine, in which they order unnecessary tests and treatments to avoid medical malpractice lawsuits;
- Consumers compare information on cost and quality when they select health care providers and treatments;
- Consumers enroll in high-deductible health plans linked with health savings accounts;
- Employers offer health plans that help consumers make more informed health care decisions and maintain those plans each year rather than switch to the lowest-cost plan; and
- Health insurers and the federal government avoid the use of inefficient providers.