Three Things to Know About the Future of American Health Care

From evolving biotechnology innovations to shifting public health crises, it’s hard to know what Americans’ health and health care will look like in the coming years. Though we don’t have a crystal ball, a close look at the discussion from the recent “America’s Health Future” event—hosted by the Washington Post—highlights critical insights from industry leaders.

Speakers included David Holmberg, CEO of Highmark Health, a Pittsburgh-based health care company focused on serving Delaware, Pennsylvania and West Virginia; Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, the 19th Surgeon General of the U.S.; and Seema Verma, the 15th and current Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Here are some key takeaways from the event:

Chronic disease is driving the cost of health care in America

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), treatments for chronic diseases make up 86 percent of the country’s health care costs. Dr. Murthy spoke of how government can play a role in controlling these epidemics—ranging from obesity to diabetes—with effective regulations of the industry and promoting healthy lifestyles across the country.

We need to glean insights from our data so that we can develop more effective, patient-centered health systems

Holmberg noted that health care providers and insurers like Highmark Health can use data to create systems that treat patients effectively. Ms. Verma highlighted how the CMS has just revamped its drug-spending dashboard by adding more data on prescriptions’ costs. By creating meaning out of the abundance of information that already exists, both the public and private sectors are building a system that works for the everyday consumer.

Collaboration—not segmentation—is critical to creating a healthy future for all Americans

All facets of the industry—from pharmaceuticals, to providers, to insurers, to regulators—are deeply connected. Both Dr. Murthy and Mr. Holmberg agreed that collaboration across the health care industry is key to addressing some of our country’s most pressing health care challenges.