Budget cuts focus the mind

It is amazing how legislation and budget cuts focus the mind.

Two bills proposed by Senate leaders in Texas recently aim to distinguish prevention-based health care from the current state of "sick care."

The content of these bills has been discussed for years ... but they are only coming into force now because of federal health care reform.

The goal is "to cut waste, fraud, and abuse" and "reward providers who are efficient and who are achieving healthy outcomes for their patients," said Sen. Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) in a press conference in February.

Perhaps this is a tactic we should use more often to shake up thinking - change the rules and change the budget. People start to think - and then behave - differently.