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HEALTH PROFESSIONS DIVISION
Fred Lippman, R.Ph., Ed.D.
HPD Chancellor
COM Outlook
is produced by
Nova Southeastern University
College of Osteopathic Medicine
3200
South University Drive
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33328-2018
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AND
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Scott Colton, B.A., APR
COM/HPD Director of Medical
Communications and Public Relations
EDITORIAL CONTACT
Scott Colton
(954) 262-5147 (
phone)
(954) 262-3887 (
fax)
COM Outlook
is produced quarterly in
January, April, July, and October.
Anthony J. Silvagni, D.O., Pharm.D., M.Sc.
Dean
EDITORIAL BOARD
Lynne Cawley, M.Sc.
Scott Colton, B.A., APR
Marti Echols, Ph.D.
Robert Hasty, D.O.
Robin Jacobs, Ph.D.
Alina Perez, J.D., M.P.H.
Jill Ross, D.O.
Debbi Cohn Steinkohl, M.H.S.A.
COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE
George L. Hanbury II, Ph.D.
President and Chief Executive Officer
NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
In late June, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Patient
Protection and Affordable Care Act. In my opinion, this act
is the logical next step in the evolution of health care in the
United States, especially since we are the only industrialized
nation in the world that doesn’t offer its citizenry compre-
hensive health care.
Historically, people from various political, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds
have voiced their concerns about the amount of money we spend annually for health
care when compared to other countries. However, that’s not actually the case when you
consider specific variables. For example, in many countries, complicated pregnancies
are not carried to term as they are here in the United States, and financial safety nets
are not offered for infants delivered at extremely premature stages.
Similarly, there are numerous surgical procedures performed here that are unavail-
able in other countries, which explains why so many people from around the world
come to the United States to have their health care needs met. It’s also important to
stress the ease of access patients and physicians have to cutting-edge medical equip-
ment and diagnostic tools in this country such as cardiac catheterizations, MRIs, and
PET scans. Consequently, we have much to be proud of.
There is, however, one major problem we face when it comes to the U.S. health
care system: We don’t offer it to everyone. The Patient Protection and Affordable
Care Act addresses this shortsightedness by presenting an opportunity for all citizens
to have available access to health insurance. As you will read in Dr. Robert’s Hasty’s
insightful article that appears in this issue of
COM Outlook
,
the merits of this legisla-
tion are plentiful.
From my perspective, I think it’s unconscionable that a country recognized as being
the most powerful in the world does not make health care available to all its citizens.
According to recent figures, nearly 46 million people in the United States do not have
health insurance for a variety of reasons. By 2014, when the law is required to be fully
implemented, health insurers will no longer be able to turn away anyone because of a
preexisting condition. In addition, most people will be required to obtain some type of
basic health insurance coverage—or pay a fee if they refuse to comply.
The issues I just mentioned—preexisting conditions and mandatory health insur-
ance—are important stipulations because they go hand in hand. You could never allow
the removal of the preexisting conditions tenet without requiring all people to become
insured first, the reason being that people would then choose to remain uninsured until
they became sick, which would trigger catastrophic financial consequences. Essentially,
health insurance, whether it is governmental or private, would become outrageously
expensive because it would only be for truly sick people instead of comprising a mix of
both healthy and ailing individuals.
As you can see, I am very optimistic about where our health care system is heading.
It may not be a perfect prescription, but at least it’s a step in the right direction.
COM
Outlook
COM Outlook . Fall 2012
Fall 2012
Volume 13, Number 4
Dean’s Message
By Anthony J. Silvagni, D.O., Pharm.D., M.Sc., FACOFP dist.
