Article argues for data-driven healthcare

NEW YORK, Oct. 24 (UPI) -- Healthcare driven by data would help create a premier system of medical care in the United States, a Republican, a Democrat and a baseball personality say.

Evidence-based healthcare wouldn't deny physicians their decision-making abilities nor supplant their expertise, former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich, one-time Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts and Oakland Athletics' General Manager Billy Beane wrote in an op-ed article published Friday in The New York Times.

Instead, "data and evidence should complement a lifetime of experience, so that doctors can deliver the best quality care at the lowest possible cost," the three wrote in advocating a new national healthcare model.

"Working closely with doctors, the federal government and the private sector should create a new institute for evidence-based medicine," they said, which would conduct new studies and review existing literature "to help inform our nation's over-stretched medical providers."

The article also called on the U.S. government to increase Medicare reimbursements and some liability protections for physicians following the recommended clinical best practices.

When comparing the U.S. healthcare system with baseball, the three said government leaders should learn from franchises that use data not dollars to create line-ups -- such as the data-driven Tampa Bay Rays playing for the World Series championship and the dollar-driven New York Yankees sitting in the stands.