May 16, 2008
The Medical Home, Round Two: Building on a Solid Foundation
From The Commonwealth Fund: In the last several years, the medical home concept has been aided by several key developments, along with the continued escalation of health care costs and a growing national chronic disease burden. Read more from this...
Fundamental Change Needed to Improve Health Care in the U.S.; Delivery System Requires Major Fix, Say Health Care Leaders
From The Commonwealth Fund: In order to achieve significant gains in quality and efficiency, the health care delivery system--the way providers are organized and care is delivered--will need fundamental and systemic changes, say health care and health policy leaders. Read...
Do Primary Care Physicians Treating Minority Patients Report Problems Delivering High-Quality Care?
From The Commonwealth Fund: Primary care physicians who treat a disproportionate share of black and Latino patients provide more charity care, see more patients, depend more heavily on low-paying Medicaid, and earn lower incomes than physicians seeing mostly white patients....
Identifying and Evaluating Equity Provisions in State Health Care Reform
From The Commonwealth Fund: This Fund report identifies state policies that promote equitable health care access and quality by expanding insurance coverage and access to care, raising the quality of care, empowering patients, upgrading health system infrastructure, and addressing social...
Massachusetts Health Care Reform--On Second Anniversary of Passage, What Progress Has Been Made?
From The Commonwealth Fund: Massachusetts' passage of health care reform legislation in April 2006 heralded an exciting new era in state health policy. The reform plan is the most comprehensive effort by a state to achieve near-universal coverage, and arguably...
Colorado: Building Blocks to Health Care Reform
From The Commonwealth Fund: On February 13, 2008, Governor Bill Ritter announced a multifaceted plan for improving Colorado's health care system, with a focus on improving quality and containing costs. One element of the plan calls for the creation of...
Minnesota: Price Competition to Drive Payment Reform
From The Commonwealth Fund: The Minnesota Legislature is currently engaged in a dramatic health care reform debate. Legislation based on the work of a pair of study panels passed the state Senate and House of Representatives and was handed to...
Wisconsin: BadgerCare Plus Healthy Living Update
From The Commonwealth Fund: Wisconsin's BadgerCare Plus, an expansion of its State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) launched on February 1, 2008, extends health coverage and at the same time emphasizes individuals' responsibility for improving their own health. This is...
Medicare Part D: State and Local Efforts to Assist Vulnerable Beneficiaries
From The Commonwealth Fund: Aspects of Medicare Part D have been problematic or confusing for vulnerable beneficiaries. This study highlights creative efforts across the country have helped individuals obtain and use the Part D benefit. Read more from this post....
Medicare Part D: How Do Vulnerable Beneficiaries Fare?
From The Commonwealth Fund: For some Medicare beneficiaries, the prescription drug benefit--Medicare Part D--can be confusing and lead to delays in getting drugs or in adverse health outcomes. New research suggests certain policy and procedural changes could enhance program performance....
