Journal of Neuro-Ophthalmology, June 2014, Volume 34, Issue 2

United States Health Care Reform: Neuro-Ophthalmologist, W(h)ither Thou Goest?

According to baseball legend Yogi Berra, The future aint what it used to be. This is exemplified by the tectonic shifts occurring today in the US health care landscape. Although its easy to understand the consequences of the subduction of the Pacific Plate by the North American Plate, the results of the tectonic plate shifts in US health care are harder to comprehend. Perhaps neuro-ophthalmologists are impotent in their abilities to prevent earthquakes, tsunamis, or volcanic eruptions but that does not negate the value of anticipation, preparation, and adaptation; and perhaps, when it comes to health care reform, it is not yet too late to establish and retain a rightful position of importance for neuroophthalmology. If so, our value is not likely to be adequately acknowledged by simply continuing our excellent job of research, teaching, and patient care; we have to lift our heads up, individually and collectively, wake up, turn on the lights, get up, and get involved in health care reform.