Our visit to Washington: A reminder of why advocacy matters

Stephen Parodi, MD

Not even a government shutdown could stop the Permanente executive medical directors and physician leaders from traveling to Washington, D.C., to speak with members of Congress about improving America’s health care system. It is moments of division and controversy that give us an opportunity to show how the practice of Permanente Medicine transcends our differences by focusing on what really matters in health care: caring for people.

This shutdown is about many things, but at its roots are concerns over the affordability of health care, both to individuals and to the country. Now more than ever, physicians are obligated to inform leaders in Washington that there are so many productive ways to make health care more accessible, affordable, while striving for ever higher quality.

It is daunting to talk with legislators about an issue that caused the government to shut down. But when I thought about it, I realized it’s not so different from the daily work of a physician and where we help our patients navigate their everyday realities and sometimes urgent needs. Seeing our patients in both difficult and sometimes the most meaningful times of their lives is at the core of a physician’s vocation. No matter the circumstances, we always show up. Once we were on Capitol Hill, I knew we were in the right place, at the perfect time.

On a mission to make health care better, smarter, and more accessible

To change America’s health care system from one based on volume of services to value of care takes a massive commitment from all of us. Here are three topics we discussed: 

• Value-based, integrated care delivery. Kaiser Permanente is paid through a value-based system with the quality of the care it provides as its North Star. Physicians and clinicians are incentivized to provide patients with preventive care that keeps them well and, when they do get sick, with the right treatment that helps them recover with the minimal amount of medical intervention possible. Most providers in this country are paid fee-for-service, based on the amount of care and services they provide. This can incentivize unnecessary tests and treatments. At Kaiser Permanente, we hold ourselves to high standards, ensuring our care decisions reflect what is best for our patients’ health and the responsible use of their resources.

• Responsible AI, physician-led health care innovation. Kaiser Permanente pursues responsible and equitable innovation like artificial intelligence in health care and prioritizes physician leadership in designing, testing and deploying innovations to ensure tools support — not replace — clinical decision-making.  We are using AI tools in both the hospital and clinic, making sure it augments our clinical practice and improves outcomes. We believe AI will assist the health system to respond to the growing health care demand in the U.S.

• Maintaining coverage. Keeping enhanced premium tax credits and Medicaid coverage in place helps millions of people stay insured, lowers their health care costs, and access the medical care they need. Without these supports, many could lose coverage and skip needed treatments, risking poor health and financial strain.

As Permanente physician leaders, we are responsible for shaping the future of health care whenever we have the opportunity. We enjoyed meeting with Congresspeople and their staffs, sharing our experiences and those of our patients, and listening to lawmakers’ concerns and questions. Though the setting may be different from our day-to-day jobs, our goal is to show up, as always, and do whatever it takes, no matter the circumstances, to make a difference on behalf of the patients and communities we serve and beyond.

We hope you’ll add your voice to help advocate for improving the health care delivery system to policymakers.

Stephen Parodi, MD, is executive vice president, External Affairs, Communications and Brand for The Permanente Federation.