NEENAH (NBC 26) — When people in this country get sick, they go see a doctor.
The health care system then often makes them feel better. But what if the way America approaches health care isn't producing the best results?
"Health care is at a crossroads," Dr. Imran Andrabi, ThedaCare President and CEO, explained. "I think that is probably the best way to depict it."
We recently sat down with Dr. Andrabi to discuss the state of health care and how it may change. He said a trip to the doctor is costing people too much money.
"The average family in the United States back in 2000 or so was spending about $12,000-$16,000 out of pocket for health care," Dr. Andrabi said. "In 2016, that number is $26,000. In 2030, that number is projected to go up to $50,000. It is economically not going to be sustainable over the next 10 or 15 years for that trend to continue."
As a result, Dr. Andrabi believes it may be time for the country to change the way it thinks about health care.
"We have to make sure that we get really, really good at taking care of people where they work, where they play, and where they live," he said.
Dr. Andrabi hopes to transition to a model called population health.
"Truly to understand the people that we take care of, understand our communities, understand that within our communities there are sub-segments of people that need to be cared for in a specific way," he said.
Dr. Andrabi said it's a more customized care that improves quality and lowers total cost. The challenge is that it requires a different approach than what we're used to.
"We've made the commitment to move in that direction, realizing that the rest of the country is not necessarily moving in that direction," Dr. Andrabi said. "We've basically said if we have to lead that movement, and a handful of other folks who want to do that, we will do that."
Dr. Andrabi adds that one group of people on board is patients. They've seen the costs of health care go up and the challenges that come with the current model of care.
"I think at the end of the day it is about health and well being, and not just the absence of sickness per se," Dr. Andrabi said. "Your physical health, your emotional health, your mental health, your spiritual health, how do we become a part of that?"
It's a question they'll look to answer as we approach 'Wisconsin 2030'.
