Blogs

Poor adherence generates higher health care costs and worse health outcomes

A new national survey commissioned by the Partnership for a Healthy America and conducted by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research and Public Opinion Strategies, confirms that we have a serious adherence program in America. Two out of three of us are not taking our medicines as prescribed.

Exploring Opportunities to Improve Outcomes and Reduce Costs Among the Growing Aging Population

March 1, 2013

This week, I was invited to testify on Capitol Hill in front of the Senate Special Committee on Aging in a hearing to discuss “Strengthening Medicare for Today and the Future.” Called to explore the possibilities for protecting the Medicare program without shifting costs or cutting benefits, the hearing provided an opportunity to underscore several concepts that were raised at the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease’s (PFCD) event in December, “Medicare & Health Care Savings: Can Entitlement Reforms Help to Bridge the Gaps for Healthy Aging.”

Key Element Missing in Healthcare Decisions: Patients

February 4, 2013

We all are patients at some point and experience the challenges of making important healthcare decisions, often with less information then we need to make informed decisions. Having a “patient-centered” health system is a commonly cited goal of health reforms. Though there is general recognition that engaging patients in the critical decisions affecting their health are central to improving health and healthcare system performance, there are still significant gaps between what patients want and what they actually receive.

Last Week in Health Care

December 17, 2012

Several interesting health care-related stories from last week…from Thursday’s Washington Post’s Health & Science section, David Brown outlined a new study that highlights the long term burdens of disease.  In Thursday’s Politico Jason Millman painted a picture of what Medicaid might look like after entitlement cuts.

The Long-term Approach to Entitlement Reform

December 14, 2012

With all of the rhetoric about entitlement reform, both sides are debating the best way to cut Medicare. Rarely discussed in these conversations, though, is what the short-term and long-term impact will be to the patient.

Research and Metrics Underscore the Importance of Fighting Chronic Disease

December 14, 2012

The Global Burden of Disease Study 2010 (GBD 2010) is the largest ever systematic effort to capture the global distribution and causes of a wide array of major diseases, injuries, and health risk factors. The report highlights non-communicable diseases, such as cancer and heart disease, as the dominant causes of death and disability worldwide. Released in December 2012, the study underscores what the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease has been working against since its inception - chronic disease and resulting rising costs, especially as an aging worldwide population commands increasing resources and interventions.

Last Week in Health Care

December 10, 2012

It was a busy week for healthcare news despite the dominant stories still revolving around the continuing “fiscal cliff” negotiations in Washington…On the prevention front, KHN reported Tuesday on a recent Kaiser Permanente study that might shed light on the slow uptake on preventive services in the wake of the Affordable Care Act. 

As a sign of the still-challenging financial times, the New York Times reported Friday that, despite states collecting record tobacco settlement revenue, many are drastically cutting their prevention programs. 

Affordable Care Act Proposed Rules

November 27, 2012

Just before the Thanksgiving holiday, the Obama administration announced new regulations to implement three key provisions of the Affordable Care Act. They focus on insurance market reforms, standards for coverage of essential health benefits and employer-based wellness programs.

PCORI Multiple Chronic Conditions Roundtable Highlights

November 21, 2012

On November 16th, the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease hosted the “Multiple Chronic Conditions and Opportunities for PCORI Research” roundtable at the American Osteopathic Association in Washington. This event served to bring together physicians, patient advocates, patients and others from the health care sector to discuss the impact of multiple chronic conditions and the paths for future research through the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), a body authorized by Congress to conduct research and provide information about the best available evidence to help patients and their health care providers make more informed decisions. PCORI’s research is intended to give patients a better understanding of the prevention, treatment and care options available, and the science that supports those options.

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