The Tom Daschle Health Care Pyramid

I think we need to change the paradigm in this country on health. It starts with that big-picture belief that the paradigm needs to be changed from illness to wellness.

I look at health care as a pyramid, in every country, where, at the base of the pyramid, you have primary care, and you work your way up until you get more and more sophisticated, until at the very top you have heart transplants and MRIs.

Every country starts at the base of the pyramid with primary care, and they work their way up until the money runs out. We start at the top of the pyramid, and we work our way down until the money runs out. And the money runs out. And so few people get good primary care and wellness.

I think that is a good way to look at it.

I also think the pyramid has another level below primary care of food and exercise. If more attention was paid there, the rest of the pyramid wouldn't be as expensive.

via News Hour