Policy Implementation

Although most of the recent discussions have been focused on expanding access to affordable health care, not enough attention has been paid to the management, processes, and staffing changes that need to be involved in the implementation process.

From Rx for Reform

An Insurance Policy for Health Care Reform

NCHC Action Fund President and CEO, Ralph G. Neas, calls for an insurance policy for health care reform.

Noting that last spring, leaders of the health care industry, including representatives from PhARMA, America's Health Insurance Plans, the American Medical Association and American Hospital Association, met with President Obama and pledged to him and the American people that they would decrease the annual rate of cost increases by 1.5 percentage points to save $2 trillion or more over the next decade. Neas said the commitment that industry leaders made to the President and the American public "should be more than a photo op, press statement and promise." Citing Washington Post columnist Ruth Marcus' piece about legislative cost containment efforts and needing a fail-safe mechanism to ensure that the rate of health care inflation is slowed, Neas urged that industry pledges to the President and the American people to control the growth of national health expenditures be codified and made enforceable as part of health reform.

"Only enactment of a "failsafe" amendment will provide the American people with an insurance policy that health care reform will lower premiums and make quality care and coverage affordable for all," he said.

Containing Costs and Avoiding Tax Increases While Improving Quality: Affordable Coverage and High Value Care

The National Coalition on Health Care's recommendations, based upon the consensus view of 85 member organizations, to make the system less complex, reduce overly high prices, and create a truly competitive health care marketplace. The goal of the paper is to augment the NCHC Principles and Specifications with a more detailed and selective set of policy recommendations on cost containment and quality improvement.

From Facts & Research

State Health Policymakers Identify Key Implementation Priorities

The National Academy of State Health Policy (NASHP) has developed a toolkit for individuals and groups working on state health policy implementation.

Issue Area(s):

Policy Implementation

Small Business Majority Amplifying California’s Small Business Voices

Since enactment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), Small Business Majority has been active in California with policy makers, small businesses, media outlets, health policy experts and advocates to amplify the voice of small business owners.

Issue Area(s):

Policy Implementation

Community Health Centers Expand Access to Quality Health Care

While insurance market reforms required by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) get top billing, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reports that the nation’s network of Community Health Centers (CHC) will be a critical element in fulfilling reform’s promise. Today more than 8,000 CHC’s are the source of primary health services for over 20 million people and are expected to reduce reliance on emergency rooms and providers that do not welcome Medicaid patients. Congress authorized more than $11 billion in funding to support 15,000 new centers expected to provide services for over 20 million new people starting in 2011.

Issue Area(s):

Cost, Coverage, Policy Implementation, Quality & Safety

Issue Areas

In 2005-2006, one in every two children in California had at least one parent who is an immigrant, compared to a national average of less than one in four.