Healthcare Reflects Society's Woes

Sometimes, covering healthcare as a journalist seems more like covering the police blotter.

Let's be clear that medicine is a noble profession, practiced by highly trained professionals, the vast majority of whom are dedicated to their healing mission. Nonetheless, in the last few weeks, there has been a rash of high-profile incidents -- some of them criminal -- that shine a light on an unsavory corner of the healthcare sector.  

Consider these recent headlines:

• Former Denver Children's Hospital doc close to plea deal in drug case
• Ex-Children's Hospital counsel Hairston charged with fraud
• FL doc gets 4-year sentence for public corruption
• Former VI hospital CEO battles fraud, conspiracy charges Prison terms sought for 4 over deadly medical tests
• Convicted sex offender OK'd to practice medicine in FL
• Cops: Patient killed Florida Hospital surgeon
• MN hospitals teaming up against drug theft
• Rising violence shows hospitals should boost security, experts warn
• Family of missing nursing student Michelle Le: 'We're going to find you'

So, what's going on here? Is healthcare in the midst of a crime wave, or some other sort of moral failings? I don't believe so. It is fair to say, however, that healthcare professionals should never – if they ever did – consider their industry immune, exempt, or protected from the problems of the larger society.

In fact, one could argue that no other industry more accurately reflects the population it serves, warts and all. 

First, a lot of people work in healthcare. The industry employs more than 14 million people who work in all sorts of jobs, from environmental services to the c-suite, in just about every town in the United States. There are going to be some bad eggs in there.

Second, there's the money. Total healthcare spending is closing in on $3 trillion annually, or more than $8,000 per person, and accounts for 18% of Gross Domestic Product, according to federal estimates. With all that money floating around, it's inevitable that some would be stolen or misappropriated.

Since 2009, for one small example, the U.S. Department of Justice has recovered $5.7 billion in fraud cases affecting federal healthcare programs. Obviously, that just reflects the people who got caught. The bottom line is nobody really knows how much money is misappropriated or stolen each year in the healthcare sector.    

Third, there is the emotional component. Healthcare is literally the stuff of life-and-death drama. That's why it's always made for popular TV dramas. The emotions run hot because the stakes are so high. The 307 million or so Americans from all walks of life will need healthcare at some point in their lives, and it is an anxious and sometimes terrifying proposition for many of them and their families.

Fourth, as noted above, the healthcare industry serves everyone. Most hospitals are 24/7/365 operations, with open access. Just walk in the door. No metal detectors. No pat downs.

Fifth:  the drugs, lots and lots of powerful, addictive, prescription drugs. Certainly healthcare workers aren't immune to the ravages of drug addiction that plague every other area of our society. And, like Willy Sutton robbing banks "because that's where the money is," drug addicts -- be they healthcare workers, patients, or thieves walking in off the street -- target healthcare organizations because that's where the drugs are.*

When these and other societal components are factored in, perhaps the question we should be asking is why isn't there more healthcare-related crime? Although I have no proof, I suspect that healthcare-related crime actually is underreported. That's only because crime is underreported everywhere else in society, and I see no reason why healthcare would be exempt from this underage. After all, it's not exempt from any other societal problem.

None of this should detract from the tremendous work that most healthcare professionals do each day in our country. It simply shows that – for better and for worse – the healthcare industry is a reflection of the people it serves.

*On a related note, let me offer this prediction and warning: The ongoing crackdown on prescription pain killer abuse at so-called "pill mills" in Florida is welcomed, and long overdue. However, although the crackdown will sever an illicit supply of prescription painkillers for tens of thousands of addicts, many of those addicts will undoubtedly search for new sources for their drug supply. To again use the wisdom of Willie Sutton, they'll go where the drugs are. Healthcare organizations, doctors offices, hospitals, and especially pharmacies, should prepare for the possibility that they will be targeted by these addicts.