Eliminate artificial demand

In response to the article “Doc pay reform remains a ‘top priority’ ” (ModernHealthcare.com, May 14), artificial demand is ruling current healthcare economics. We need a system to address artificial demand creation. Programs addressing quality are always appropriate but take too long to implement widely.

In the meantime, we need an immediate and effective reimbursement process that will eliminate up to $100 billion in excess diagnostic services annually without denying any patient-needed services. A reimbursement program to slow cost increases will go a long way toward addressing needed reforms and will have an immediate payback. This is especially needed as Obamacare comes online. We need Wal-Mart-style supply-anddemand economics. Who resides outside the current healthcare box and can save the U.S. healthcare system?

Michael Samms, CEO, Enable Quality Health OverlandPark, Kan.