There are a lot of ideas for reforming our current health care system. Some good, and some…not as good. But virtually all of the reform approaches discussed in politics and the media share one thing in common—they accept the current system as it is and try to build reforms around it.

At Blue Sky Health, we take a different approach.

We believe the solution isn’t to tinker with our current system; it’s to pursue a fundamentally new approach. We need transformational reform.

The modern health system took shape more than a generation ago. Its structure and function—dominated by private insurance with a focus on the treatment of disease—made sense for what we knew then. But now, we have a far better understanding of what it takes to be healthy. We know that things like access to healthy foods, recreational opportunities, clean air and water, education, living conditions, family life and so much more affect the quality and longevity of our lives. In fact, scientists now agree that what happens outside a doctor’s office has a far greater impact on health than what happens inside.

The system’s focus on treatment doesn’t only miss important opportunities to improve health, it is also financially unsustainable and creates a drag on our economy.  The U.S. currently spends 16 percent of its GDP on health care. As the baby boomers continue to retire in ever larger numbers, and their use of health care rises, and as we continue to invest in expensive new medical technologies, we can only expect for U.S. spending on health care to increase dramatically.

Even at current levels, health care costs are significantly hurting U.S. businesses. General Motors spends far more on health insurance for its employees than on steel for its cars. GM pays about seven times more for health care per employee than does Toyota.

Unless we fundamentally transform the health system, our nation and our people cannot prosper to their fullest extent. We need to think long-term and begin to invest in a system that will yield long-term benefits. Over time, our investments can make a lasting contribution that will substantially influence the health of future generations across all communities.