Ken Thorpe's blog

Open Comment Period: Prevention in Medicare

CMS is accepting comments until August 24th on a proposed rule on implementation of new Medicare preventive health benefits. Trust for America’s Health has posted the CMS announcement here: http://healthyamericans.org/assets/files/CMS_Fact_Sheet.pdf.

Instructions on how to submit comments are also on the TFAH Web site: http://healthyamericans.org/assets/files/CMS_Fee.pdf

CDC Calls for Increased Prevention Efforts

It’s been a big week for prevention.

Health Care Reform and Chronic Disease: What Now?

On July 13th I moderated a PFCD event, “Health Care Reform and Chronic Disease: What Now?” Our panel and audience had a lively discussion about the future of health care reform and implementation and what role the PFCD and other organizations could play during this complicated process that’s really uncharted territory.

My opening remarks covered a lot of territory, but I mentioned three opportunities for building on the PPACA by improving

HHS, White House Incentivizing Prevention

I want to applaud HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr.

Prevention Update

We experienced a great deal of support for prevention and wellness efforts this week.

Evidence of Cost-saving Potential

OMB Director Peter Orszag is right, there are health care savings to be found in our current health care system. Several delivery system reforms included in PPACA have the potential to transform our health care system and save billions of dollars.

Prevention is More than a Promise

John Seffrin, Larry Hausner and Nancy Brown of the American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association and American Heart Association, respectively, recently wrote an op-ed about how the new health care law’s prevention and early detection programs have the potential to transform our health care system and drastically reduce the rates of chronic disease in the U.S.

I couldn’t agree more and want to reiterate a point I’ve made before—preventing disease and managing it effectively will significantly reduce o

Early Intervention, Care Coordination Key to Fighting Diabetes, Lowering Health Spending

The Lancet’s most recent issue focuses on Type 2 diabetes, one of the nation’s most increasingly prevalent, preventable chronic diseases. Their message is one that PFCD has been sounding for years: we could save lives, improve quality of life and save billions of dollars if we intervene early enough in life (before the age of 50) with effective lifestyle programs.

Today, diabetes is a serious health and economic issue, particularly in public programs like Medicare.

Implementation is Underway: Funding for the National Prevention Council

The Administration and HHS have moved quickly to start implementing some of the prevention and care coordination components of the Affordable Care Act.  Not two weeks ago, President Obama  signed an Executive Order creating the National Prevention Council. (Learn more here.) And just a few short days ago the president and Secretary Sebelius allocated funds for the Council totaling $500 million for FY 2010.

Three Types of Prevention

Kudos to HHS for producing a  PSA about preventive health. The ad highlights the importance of preventing disease, particularly chronic diseases that can be costly and life-quality reducing without prevention or treatment.

While the ad is a tremendously positive step to reinforcing preventive measures, it focuses heavily on tests.

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