Framing Healthcare Reform Futures

There is more than ample reason to presume that true reform is, by a short route, coming to American healthcare. That said, the precise nature and timing (of the tectonic shifts in public policy, technology, market and industry structure, etc, ahead) are anything but certain.  But now's the time that tomorrow's leaders must be carefully examining alternative scenarios and plotting disruptive strategic courses of their own (or, at least, anticipating others')!

 

 I've been working with a multidisciplined team of experts on a new approach to the issues like Healthcare Reform.  We're calling it FuturesFraming^sm and I'd like to tell you a little more about it.  Please click on this link for a short video presentation.

 http://www.screencast.com/t/MIRvmxpphTI

 Indeed, the first step in our FuturesFraming^sm method centers upon carefully delimiting, and then clearly delineating, the specific Focal Question that’s keeping senior exec's awake at night. The following are but a few examples of Focal Questions that we’ve taken up with early clients.  If you’d like, we’d be happy to take a look at your situation and come back with our thoughts.

• How could Healthcare Reform, and other Key Forces, reshape the chronic care market in the U.S. over the next 5-10 years?

• Could Healthcare Reform expand conventional demand? : e.g., should you double-down on current provider channels, government and other TPM strategies?

• Could Healthcare Reform constrain conventional demand for your product/service?: How could you particiapte in the new/emerging business models  (e.g., ACO’s) most effectivley?

• How will Healtcare Reform interact with emerging technologies? And when should you lock-in on what product strategy?

• How and when should you communicate your current position and post-Healthcare Reform plans?

• Will Healthcare Reform accelerate current healthcare consumerism trends

Speaking of healthcare consumerism, it's likely that individuals and their repositioned physician/coaches will soon find themselves both more empowered and more motivated to make better decisions around their own health strategies. Moreover, within this and other scenarios, a robust "no regrets" strategy involves the rapid evolution of new healthcare ecosystems: electronic syndicates enabled by current and emerging internet technologies. Can you position yourself as a leader and ride the Web 3.0 wave?

`say tuned.  I'll be following up withsome more thoughts on Focal Questions and Scenarios soon.  In the meanwhile, please, don't hestitate to add a few Comments of your own below

Comments

[Ron Bachman]

Great Blog. The Futures Framing concept is exactly the approach most strategic planners need and are missing as a critical part of their work to gain insights to the future. Coupled with early warning signals, any management can take the confusions of rapid changes (due to legislation, court rulings, new competitors, disruptive technologies, etc.) and turn that into a strength by rapid business shifts to meet the challenges. Obviously, healthcare, consumerism, and web 2.0 are at the intersection of rapid changes and are key considerations for anyone in the health and healthcare space.

[Doug]

Thanks Ron
`any additional thoughts on two things: first, what other "Focal Questions" would you suggest? Second, to whom should they be targeted? Who needs to hear this story? Who would be most likely to engage in this "Strategic Conversation"?

[Ron Bachman]

Today the focal issues for healthcare seem to center around the balance between governmental and private market controls.

Education and incentives are currently growing as keys for health and healthcare consumerism. What will it take, how is it delivered, and how much of each is needed to improve compliance and healthy choices.

Instead of competing on products, service, convenience, costs, marketing, quality, etc. many are competing with lobbyists, government inside relationships, and special interest political groups. Tax credits, stimulus funds, and no bid contracts worth $B's can be available to the politically connected. The treat of "cronny capitalism" seems far to real.

Assuming we get back to some level of free markets with proper government regulation, the healthcare space (making up 1/6 of the GDP) can target a wide array of stakeholders. The key at any one time is to target those at risk (financial, product, technology, expense, political, etc.).