A Case Against Fee-for-Service Healthcare
The fee-for-service healthcare model divides policy makers and thought leaders across the healthcare industry. Many believe third-party payments encourage overusing healthcare services and, in turn, contribute to inflation. Howard Dean, a champion of healthcare reform, hopes to shift the incentives of physicians and hospitals away from offering more procedures and imaging toward providing more efficient, preventative care. Governor Dean sees a direct link between high costs and the volume at which providers offer services to patients. The question, he believes, comes down to incentives: should healthcare companies get paid for how sick you get you get, or how healthy they keep you?
Governor Howard Dean is a Senior Strategic Advisor and Independent Consultant for the Government Affairs practice at Dentons, LLP. He focuses on healthcare and energy issues, as well as providing expertise derived from his extensive experience in public office. With an extensive set of contacts nationally, Governor Dean is uniquely positioned to develop partnerships between industry stakeholders and local governments. Governor Dean comes to MLA after serving as Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, where he created and implemented the “50 State Strategy”, encouraging the cultivation of candidates in every state at every level, rather than solely the traditionally democratic-leaning states. Governor Dean began his life in politics in 1982 when he transitioned from a full-time practicing physician to an elected representative in Vermont. Governor Dean raised his profile in the state, culminating in 12 years of service as Vermont’s governor. He has served as an Independent Director of Extendicare since May 2010 and Vatera since April 2009.