April 2001

Editor's Message

By Kristen M. Pratt

Too Much or Not Enough?

To regulate or not to regulate is a question that fundamentally separates the two political parties in the United States. Typically, Republicans want less in the name of free enterprise and Democrats call for protection of the disadvantaged. Regulation or lack thereof can have a huge impact on health care.

Recently, when the OSHA ergonomic standard was repealed, two of my fellow editors, unbeknownst to the other, burst into my office to express their very different opinions. One was ecstatic over the repeal—championing the rights of small business and less interference from the government. The other was infuriated by what she saw as trampling over the health of American workers, and cited her own case of repetitive strain injury that has plagued her for more than half her years in journalism.

In this issue, George Olsen, JD, and Evan Morris write about the upcoming restructure of the Health Care Financing Administration—a government agency that is notorious for bumbling bureaucracy (page 32). What effect will this have on health care regulation?

The new privacy rule (see Cherilyn Murer’s, JD, CRA, column, page 36) approved by former President Bill Clinton is under attack by a lobby comprised of pharmaceutical companies, third-party payors, and health maintenance organizations. According to a Los Angeles Times article, the lobby asserts that the regulation is too complicated and too expensive to implement, and would hinder people’s access to health care.¹ On the other side are health care professionals and consumer advocates who vehemently disagree, noting the wide-ranging implications for not maintaining patient record confidentiality.

Which side is correct? What about the more socialistic health care systems in place in Europe—too much regulation even if they work in their specific settings? The next few years hold much significance for the rehabilitation industry. Is the therapy cap repeal permanent and will the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 receive further trimming? In a country with as many opinions as citizens, we can only wait to see where the regulatory road ends.

—Kristen Pratt Machado is no longer Editor of Rehab Management. Please address any correspondence to Sarah Schmelling, Senior Editor, at cwolski@medpubs.com.

Reference

1. Rubin AJ. Lobbyists go full tilt in bid to ease patient privacy rules. Los Angeles Times. March 24, 2001: A-1.

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