Senate Finance Committee Bill Advances Health Reform Legislation with Provisions to Improve Prevention, Delivery of Care
Extended Timeframe of Cost Analysis is Critical to Recognizing Value
The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) issued a statement commending the Senate Finance Committee for its work in advancing the health reform debate with the release of its health reform bill, America's Healthy Future Act of 2009, and the inclusion of provisions to prevent chronic disease, the top cost driver in health care. PFCD also pointed out the importance of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) decision to extend the timeframe of analysis beyond the traditional 10-years to estimate the cost of this bill, allowing for investments in prevention and delivery system reform to be more appropriately valued.
"We are pleased that the Senate Finance Committee legislation includes provisions to improve disease prevention and wellness and that the CBO is willing to score these provisions over a 20-year timeframe," said PFCD Executive Director, Ken Thorpe Ph.D. "While there are many interventions that generate savings within a much shorter time frame - this change will allow CBO's scores to more accurately reflect the cost-savings that can be achieved by prevention programs over the long-term, and will strengthen efforts to ensure passage of comprehensive, sustainable health care legislation this year."
The PFCD and its partners have long advocated that the CBO give appropriate recognition to the value of preventative services as part of delivery system reform. In extending the timeframe in which it considers potential cost savings, the CBO recognizes the growing body of evidence which show that the long-term benefits of chronic disease prevention and management can help bend the rising curve in health care spending and help address the long-term financial viability of the health care system.
There are several policies described in "America's Healthy Future Act of 2009" that focus on improving health in America through chronic disease prevention and management. These include:
- Enhancing Medicare Coverage: Given that almost three out of four Medicare beneficiaries has more than one chronic illness, the bill's proposed biennial health risk assessment and wellness visit to create a personalized prevention plan for Medicare beneficiaries are important additions to the Medicare program.
- Reducing Patient Financial Barriers to Health Improvement: The bill's plan to remove cost-sharing for recommended preventive services and provide incentives for choosing healthy lifestyles will help empower and motivate Americans to follow-through on preventive care and treatment recommendations.
- Improving Care Coordination: Measures outlined in the bill will manage care transitions, facilitate Medicaid medical home options for patients with chronic conditions, and encourage adoption of standards that promote improvements in health outcomes for patients.
- Strengthening the Quality of Care: By adopting policies linking payments to the quality of care and improved health outcomes and calling for the development of a national quality strategy, we can reduce waste, set national goals to improve health and better manage long-term costs.
- Translating Knowledge Into Action: The bill recognizes the importance of solid research and would create a new federal effort for comparative effectiveness research to improve care quality. This approach provides a strong foundation to meet the challenge of chronic disease by focusing on the clinical information needs of patients and providers; recognizing differences in patient needs due to clinical, genetic and other factors; and closing evidence gaps across the spectrum of health care.
"As lawmakers evaluate the Finance Committee proposal, we encourage them to consider these initiatives as integral to decreasing long-term health spending by preventing and better managing illness," noted Thorpe. "We know these provisions improve health, but cost continues to be a critical issue in the health reform debate. With the CBO's revised timeframe, we will be able to more accurately assess the economic impact of these investments in our nation's health."
"We are pleased to see that Chairman Baucus included these important ideas in his legislation and look forward to working closely with the Senate Finance committee and the CBO to insure prevention remains a top priority for reform," he added.
About the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease:
The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) is a national and state-based coalition of patients, providers, community organizations, business and labor groups, and health policy experts committed to raising awareness of the number one cause of death, disability, and rising health care costs in the U.S.: chronic disease.
For more information about the PFCD and its partner organizations, please visit: www.fightchronicdisease.org.
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