Health care reform in 2009

This February, President Barack Obama pledged to make the largest investment ever "in preventive care, rooting out Medicare fraud and investing in electronic health records and new technology in an effort to reduce errors, bring down costs, ensure privacy and save lives". The importance of healthcare reform is gaining momentum in the prevailing economic climate. There is increased pressure for delivery and cost efficiency in all sectors of the economy, the health sector being no exception.

President Obama's objectives in this regard bear some resemblance to those of the Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Joe Cassar who has undertaken to cut down abuse in the government's free medicines scheme and to set up a centralised IT system to manage and reduce waiting lists. Such a system would also give GPs access to patients' medical records and test results. This is a significant step in advancing primary healt care, which has been put at the forefront of the government's plans for health care reform. Health centres and clinics are the hub of primary healthcare, providing specialised medical services in the patient's own locality. The government has reiterated that good community care would improve the quality of health services to the individual, boost preventive care and allow better patient monitoring while, simultaneously, relieving Mater Dei Hospital from undue pressure.

America can no longer afford to put healthcare reform on hold. Neither can Europe. The spiralling costs of insurance premiums have escalated as a result of the financial downturn. The average cost of family health care coverage in America more than doubled from 1999 to 2008 and an estimated 46 million Americans are uninsured. The crushing cost of healthcare "causes a bankruptcy in America every 30 seconds". In Malta, health services are provided for free as they are covered by our taxes. Government expenditure in medicines and surgical equipment has increased by a staggering €11.3 million so far this year.

Despite recent efforts, Malta ranked 23rd among 31 countries in the recent EU report: Empowerment Of The European Patient - Options And Implications. Patient empowerment is an integral part of European health policy. The launch of the EU health portal demonstrates the big supporting role that national health authorities, the European Council and the World Health Organisation have in relation to patient empowerment through education and information. It has been recommended that Malta draws up a patients' rights legislative framework and that it promotes patient knowledge and active participation.

As the American President declares that his citizens will see a cure for cancer in "our time", the Maltese Parliamentary Secretary for Health proudly announces the drafting of the National Cancer Strategy and the development of a National Strategy on Chronic Illnesses. The building of a new oncology ward in Mater Dei Hospital will start by the end of 2009 and the National Breast Screening Programme should be running by the end of 2010.

The government is also contemplating the introduction of public-private partnerships in the health care sector and is a strong proponent of corporate social responsibility. The PPP model is already being applied in elderly care, namely at the home for the elderly in Mellieħa between the government and Care Malta Mellieħa Ltd. The private entity is not only obliged to provide hotel services but also to fund the building of the home within a stipulated time.

It is evident that the health sector remains a priority for the present government. This is a good thing as there remains much progress to be made, especially on the island of Gozo where a number of treatments remain unavailable to local patients and the Gozo General Hospital is in need of more technologically-advanced medical equipment.

The author is reading for a Doctor of Laws degree at the University of Malta and her dissertation is about the legal regulation of medicines and the pharmaceutical industry.