Models for Reform?

President Obama often cites the Mayo Clinic and the Cleveland Clinic as models for providers in a new era of health care reform.

Question: Can these two models be replicated throughout the country?

Answer: Not likely. Certainly not in the near term.

The Mayo Clinic is unique but has replicated itself a few times, and the Cleveland Clinic is unique and to the best of our knowledge has not been replicated.

Even if these models could be replicated, it is unlikely they could be replicated in any but some urban areas. And if they could, the transition cost in most markets would be immense, and who would pay for that? (the new Mayo Clinics are in high growth and very prosperous areas, Florida and Arizona)

Can we learn anything from these clinics. Possibly yes. Can we duplicate these models in other areas? Not likely, and certainly not in the near term.