Healthcare Daily Digest for 1 March: The Ever Important Importance of Former Supermodels to the Healthcare Debate

When talking about Best Practices, one of the best of Best Practices is getting healthcare information from former super models. So thank GOD Christy Turlington was on hand to talk about those issues with Rep. Betty McCollum (D-Minn.).

Fine, fine, fine: Christy Turlington’s doing the Lord’s work with her organization, Every Mother Counts, which works to end preventable deaths caused by pregnancy and childbirth. The money quote from the article: “The runway regular, wearing a dress and gray sweater, took time to pose for a photo.”

What else is happening in the high-stakes, high-fashion world of heathcare?

• Continuing Education, Paid for By Work: “After working 20 years as a medical assistant in Group Health Cooperative’s physical therapy department, Leslee Thompson decided to take the plunge and go back to school, something that would be near impossible without the support of her employer. She was selected to participate in a unique program offered by her employer to help her become a licensed practical nurse. The program paid her tuition and wages while she was in school. In return, she committed to work at Group Health for two years after she became a licensed practical nurse. She completed the program in 2004 and has been happily working in her new role at Group Health since.”

• It’s All Insurance’s Fault!: “Why American healthcare costs so much, and what we can do about it.”

• You Guys are the REAL Heroes!: “I know that healthcare providers share their experiences with their patients, coworkers, faculty and staff, and also with their administration. They care for these people that they meet and work with on a daily basis. And with each day, through a smile or a handshake, a bond forms that develops into friendship, which then leads to a sense of teamwork and ultimately to a sense of accomplishment when various goals are achieved.”

• Here’s a Favorite Song: Not healthcare related, but you’re welcome anyway.

• What if Healthcare Was Like Buying a Vacuum or Lip Balm?: “Beyond how it’s set, we don’t even know the price itself — the one we’re going to pay for medical services — until it’s too late. That’s because hospital prices are unpublished. They are set and changed constantly out of public view. While there are many more complexities to fixing our health care system overall, removing medical service prices from hiding would be a great step toward recovery.”