RE: Social movement united by a common purpose

I enthusiastically read Dr. Grumbach's excellent article about the need for coming together to overhaul primary care. It seems that a revolution is required to disentangle the ability to make a profit in health care from those whose interests are not in the common good. The for-profit industry in healthcare and pharmaceuticals must be reined in. Damage to individuals, communities, public health, and medical science have been documented when the system is co-opted for interests other than the common good.

As a psychologist, I see that this social movement needs to include allied health and public health professionals alongside primary care and patient voices. Many professionals with different training and perspectives can see how the current system is broken and how it has been corrupted by profiteering. Clinicians see first hand how patients and families suffer. We also see how clinicians suffer when the system does not financially support providing excellent clinical care. Money is a key driver of outcomes. Thus, we need to include business and economic professionals sharing their expertise and speaking out against the current system with us. I believe that if we unite and demand radical change, we can prevail. But it will take leadership and committment to the cause.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed individuals can change the world. In fact, it's the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead