Giving Compass' Take:

• This article from Real Clear Markets (via Brookings Institute) discusses why we should look at the bright side when it comes to healthcare reform, considering that states can experiment with different models, non-medical services can boost outcomes and major tech disruption could be on the way.

• Is this too sunny a picture? The author acknowledges that political gridlock creates anxiety and slows down progress — but a wider perspective is welcome to see where we can make a difference.

• Here's how partnerships and collaborations can improve healthcare access.

It is no surprise that partisan gridlock in Washington triggers widespread concern about the future of our health system. It is not just that there are worries about the future cost and availability of coverage for families. It is also that Congress seems quite unable to settle on a permanent framework for 18 percent of the entire US economy.

Still, we should temper our anxiety about deep disagreement and legislative paralysis hampering the long-term management of this vital part of the economy ...

There is a growing recognition that there is much more to achieving good health than just spending money on medical care. We could save billions of dollars repairing hip fractures for seniors, for instance, by investing a fraction of that money in such things as safer bathrooms and non-slip carpeting. Meanwhile, tackling stress and abuse affecting young children can sharply reduce downstream mental health costs.

The problem is that while other countries achieve better health results by improving the balance between medical and social service spending, America is the outlier by over-medicalizing health. But the good news is that all over the country, often with federal encouragement, there are more and more efforts to incorporate non-medical services to boost health outcomes. For instance, Vermont’s “SASH” program coordinates medical and social services to improve health outcomes for the elderly. Meanwhile federal waivers are allowing state Medicaid programs to use funds on housing and social services that improve health. And new federal legislation permits Medicare Advantage plans to use some funds for health-related transportation and other non-medical services.

Read the full article about reasons to be optimistic about true healthcare reform by Stuart M Butler at Brookings.