The Profit Motive in Healthcare

Perspective

Abstract

Wherever humans interact, there is profit motive. Profit is generally considered monetary, but other objects of value can be considered profit, such as power, prestige, re-election (politicians), and physical objects, viz., A Rembrandt painting or Maserati automobile. In healthcare, the “profit” that end-users (herein called We the Patients) seek is readily affordable, medically timely health care.

Given that profit motive is an inherent and therefore an unavoidable driver of human behavior, the following question is the focus of this report. Does the reward system in healthcare align with the desired outcomes? 

The alignment of rewards to healthcare outcomes is evaluated within stakeholder groups: providers, healthcare facilities, big pharma, insurance, government, and We the Patients (the public). 

The only stakeholder group with consistently aligned incentives is We the Patients. To make optimal use of the profit motive and thereby achieve desired healthcare (system) outcomes, behaviors of We the Patients must be rewarded. This can only be done when We the Patients have decision-making authority and are personally responsible. The way to achieve timely, affordable, quality medical care in the U.S. is called the Empower Patients Initiative, where financial and therefore medical control is restored to Americans.