Survey Measure Resident-Centered Care in Nursing Homes
May 9, 2008 - Although The Nursing Home Reform Act, passed in 1987, established residents' rights and quality standards for nursing homes nationwide, serious concerns remain about quality of care and quality of life for nursing home residents. Read more »
U.S. Public Spends $45 Billion on Health Care and Insurance for Workers
May 2, 2008 - A new Commonwealth Fund study finds that the public, along with workers, foot the bill when employers fail to provide their full-time workers with health insurance. Eroding employer-sponsored health insurance is costing U.S. taxpayers $45 billion a year, which includes $33 billion to cover public insurance--such as Medicaid or the State Children Health Insurance for Program--for workers and their dependents, and $12 billion for uncompensated health care that would otherwise covered by the workers' private insurance. Read more »
Health Care Delivery System Needs Overhaul, Experts Say
April 21, 2008 - Nine of 10 participants in this Commonwealth Fund/Modern Healthcare Health Care Opinion Leaders survey call for fundamental change in the way the U.S. delivery system is organized. Favored policy strategies for reform include strengthening the primary care system, encouraging care coordination, and promoting care management of high-cost patients with complex conditions. Read more »
Making Medicare Part D Work Better for the Most Vulnerable
May 1, 2008 - 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. This issue brief suggests certain policy and procedural changes could enhance program performance. Read more »
Health Policy Reform in the 2008 Election Season
April 25, 2008 - With the 2008 presidential election dominating headlines, health policy reform—and the candidates' health plans—are also making news. The Commonwealth Fund has published a number of pieces that explain and analyze the candidates' proposals, as well as the issues at stake in the campaign and beyond. Read more »
The Commonwealth Fund is a private foundation that aims to promote a high performing health care system that achieves better access, improved quality, and greater efficiency, particularly for society's most vulnerable.
DC Policy Updates
Washington Health Policy Week in Review
Sen. McCain would rely on tax credits to expand coverage; survey shows many Americans struggling to pay for health care; and more. Read more »
Commission on a High Performance Health System
Report Sees Major Savings by Combining Universal Coverage with Health Reform OptionsThis analysis, prepared for The Commonwealth Fund Commission on a High Performance Health System, finds that guaranteeing health insurance for all, when combined with policy options aimed at improving health system performance, could result in $1.5 trillion in reduced spending over the next decade. Read a New York Times editorial on the report. And view our interactive Web feature for report highlights. Read more »
Newsletter Spotlight
States in Action: Innovations in Health Policy
An update on progress in Massachusetts, two years after passage of its comprehensive health reform legislation; how states are trying to control health care costs; comparing the presidential candidates' health plans; and more. Read more »
From the President
Get Organized: How to Streamline Health Care Delivery
Our modern health care system has spawned many specialized fields, including "patient advocacy," which offers guidance and even classes on "navigating the health care maze." But it simply shouldn't be so hard for patients to make sure that their blood test results reach the right doctor's office. Read more »
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