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Clayton McWhorter

You Ask It: Expert

  • Clayton McWhorter
  • SHOUTAmerica
  • Founder
  • Expert for October 2008

Bio

Mr. McWhorter has over 50 years of experience as a leader in the healthcare industry, giving him a unique perspective on the system and its future. He currently serves as the Chairman of the private equity firm, Clayton Associates, located in Nashville, Tennessee and in the past has held top executive positions for multiple successful nationwide healthcare companies including, Hospital Corporation of America and HealthTrust Inc. Most recently, Mr. McWhorter lent his vision, resources and a blank whiteboard to a handful of young individuals and tasked them with creating an organization that would educate and energize the future of America on the need for healthcare reform. His understanding of the profound problems facing healthcare and his commitment to empowering young Americans have guided the founding of this organization and are at the heart of SHOUTAmerica’s mission.

Questions and Answers

What was the "event" or "thought" that prompted you to start such a great program?

Submitted by: dml
My whole career has been in healthcare care and after stepping away from the tenure 11 years ago, I began to realize we can not sustain the system we have and the entitlements we have provided. Therefore, I thought with my knowledge of healthcare, it was the time for me to figure how to begin to educate the younger generation about the issues facing our system. I really believe the 18 – 35 age group needs to get focused on what potentially lies ahead.

What is your personal opinion on a Single Payer system?

Submitted by: onecarenowla
I am not in favor of a single payer system because it opens up the Pandora’s Box of abuse and constant changes. I do favor universal coverage under the free market system with various third party insurance groups. Such is the system for all federal employees. But it is not about what I think, what is most important is that young people start thinking and talking about healthcare and deciding what is best for them and their future.

If a General Practitioner decided to make his practice all private pay, no insurance companies between him and the patient, what obstacles would he face from the insurance companies and the AMA?

Submitted by: terasforfears
I really do not see any. In fact there are several in the State of Tennessee doing that very thing. In these instances the patient would then be required to file for reimbursement with their insurance coverage, if they have it, which allows the physician to have less administrative burden and cost.

What will be the role of private practice physicians, if any, who do not accept insurance as a means of payment, in a movement to reform healthcare?

Submitted by: Brennan
In my opinion, any healthcare reform regardless of what shape it takes, there will always be physicians that will have concierge services where there is no third party coverage.

How likely do you think it is that major healthcare reform will occur during the first term of the next Presidency?

Submitted by: Anonymous
I do not see any major healthcare reform in the first term of the next presidency; however, I do see the foundation being laid for the transition to some meaningful healthcare reform.

Young people are typically the healthiest segment of society. Why do young people need to get involved in this issue?

Submitted by: Anonymous
Because under any reform you are going to be paying your fair share, but more importantly, you need to be protecting your interest as you grow older because the system we now have is not sustainable. If we do not figure out how to reform it, you will be paying steep prices for it.

In your opinion, what are the main factors causing the rising cost of healthcare?

Submitted by: Anonymous
Consumption! We are selling sickness in the United States because healthcare follows the dollar. If more dollars are provided, the system figures how to spend it, and much of our society feels like there is a major pill or device for any healthcare need known to mankind.

How do you personally intend to fix the healthcare crisis?

Submitted by: Anonymous
Even though this is a major task and hurdle, hopefully one of the ways is to get the younger generation involved and voicing their concerns and learning more and more themselves about the various proposals for addressing the healthcare issues facing this nation.

Everyone seems to be asking for healthcare reform from the presidential candidates to businesses. Who or what is getting in the way?

Submitted by: Anonymous
Unfortunately, there is a lot of self-serving interests in our system and healthcare is a big, big business and it’s like almost any other business, it’s driven by volume. The big difference with healthcare versus other forms of business – if you sell more computers the client is paying for it out of his pocket. But if you are selling healthcare, someone else is paying for it. We have to find a system that balances our healthcare resources and provides for more accountability.

How has your career in the healthcare field affected your perspective on the healthcare crisis?

Submitted by: Anonymous
Fortunately or unfortunately, I know too much, and I am still trying to explain to my family and my associates why at my age I am involved in this mission of healthcare reform. There are days that I ask myself over and over, but I feel that with my knowledge it is important that I at least try to be part of the solution.
Summary: 
Mr. McWhorter has over 50 years of experience as a leader in the healthcare industry, giving him a unique perspective on the system and its future.