In good news for patients and families, the federal government recently took two important steps to increase transparency. These actions exemplify a changing health care culture that recognizes the need for openness.
Amplifying the Voices of Patients
Big changes are taking place in our health care system — and it’s about time. While some innovations have been occurring in limited areas around the country, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is making bigger, bolder transformation of the health care system more of a reality.
The ‘With Model’ of Patient and Family Engagement
As our national debate over health care reform continues, with its future, at least in part, likely to be shaped by the election, one thing is clear: There is consensus that we need to move to a more patient- and family-centered health care system.
A Texas-Sized Disaster
Here in Texas, Latinas and African American women fare worse than their Caucasian counterparts on almost every measure of wellness.
Welcome Progress, But the Final Verdict on ACOs Is Yet to Come
Last week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) may have done what once seemed impossible. Its final rule on Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) seems to have put an end to the rancor and bitter debate on this particular issue, shaping a framework that just about all parties can accept.
The “Business Case” for Eliminating Health Care Disparities
No one would deny that health care in the United States is riddled with disparities – in access, in treatment, and in outcomes. There are disparities due to gender, race/ethnicity, place of residence, socio-economic status, age and insurance status. Until recently, few attempts have been made to examine how those disparities affect costs. A spate of recent research, however, builds a powerful case for paying much more attention to the connection.
Health Care Reform Matters to Older Women
Let’s be clear. As both caregivers and patients, women bear the brunt of shortcomings in our health care system – high costs, poor quality, and fragmented, uncoordinated care.
Rx for Health Literacy
October is health literacy month and, as Congress debates the widespread challenges in health care, we also need to address the problem of low health literacy — an obstacle people face in doctors’ offices across the country everyday and one that has a big impact on health outcomes.
The Evidence is There: Better Coordinated Care Makes Sense and Saves Money. Duh.
This just in. What health care experts have suspected for some time has been demonstrated by a new study published in the American Journal of Managed Care: patients who can rely on a coordinated system where their providers talk to each other, their medical information is available electronically, and they have improved access to doctors and nurses – have better health outcomes.
President Obama has spoken. This is your moment!
President Obama delivered a powerful and passionate speech on health insurance reform.
