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Sen. Richard Burr discusses health care during Sylva visit
By Derek Hodges
U.S. Sen. Richard Burr visited Harris Regional Hospital last week and used his time in Sylva to discuss health care reform.
Burr’s May 4 visit was something of a surprise to hospital officials, according to Mark Leonard, CEO of Harris Regional’s parent company, West Care.
“We got a call from someone in Sen. Burr’s office who said the senator would like to visit the hospital,” Leonard said.
U.S. Sen. Richard Burr, left, talks with WestCare CEO Mark Leonard on a tour of newly-constructed portions of Harris Regional Hospital. Burr visited Sylva Wednesday, May 4, to discuss health care reform. – Herald photo by Derek Hodges
Leonard addressed a lunch meeting with Burr, explaining the mission, services and future plans for local health care. Leonard also made some requests of the senator that he said would help WestCare in its operations.
“We know that the (national health care) system doesn’t work right,” Leonard said.
Medicaid and Medicare seemed to be on the minds of both men.
“There’s a problem with Medicaid and Medicare and we’ve got to fix that,” Burr said. “The challenging thing is to get people off of trying to control the spending and more to fixing the problem.”
Burr said lawmakers had tried to work out some of their concerns with the programs, but that had to be put on hold. Burr feels confident the issue will be addressed soon, he said.
The pair also discussed the rising costs of medical liability.
“It’s gotten to the point where it’s a red flag to medical students thinking about practicing in North Carolina,” Burr said.
WestCare and other health systems in the area have been trying to work with state legislatures to come up with a solution to the problem, Leonard said.
Burr said health care concerns are on the minds of many in Washington.
“If you look at the overall picture, we can reform, but we still can’t afford it,” he said. “We can offer treatment and maintain disease, but we have to cure something.”
There are several things that can be changed to bring the cost of medical care down, including encouraging citizens to seek routine checkups.
“Nobody gets an annual physical,” he said. “Our health care is flawed because of that.”
Most treatment given in the United States is a result of some serious condition, Burr said. Critical care costs more than routine checkups and prevention, which means that most health care costs could be prevented, he said.
Health care reform is something that will be taken on by government officials in the near future, Burr said.
“I think we will make progress. That’s going to require a partnership (between health care providers and lawmakers),” he said.
Burr was given a tour of newly-completed additions at the hospital, as well as some parts still under construction.
Leonard said he felt “very positive” about Burr’s visit.
“He was very knowledgable about issues that we deal with here,” Leonard said. “I think we’ll be able to work with him. Very much so.”
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