In establishing the Commission on a High Performance Health System in 2005, The Commonwealth Fund's board of directors recognized the need for national leadership to revamp, revitalize, and retool the U.S. health care system. The Commission's 17 members—a distinguished group of experts and leaders representing every sector of health care, as well as the state and federal policy arena, the business sector, professional societies, and academia—are charged with promoting a high-performing health system that provides all Americans with affordable access to high-quality, safe care while maximizing efficiency in its delivery and administration. Of particular concern to the Commission are the most vulnerable groups in society, including low-income families, the uninsured, racial and ethnic minorities, the young and the aged, and people in poor health.

During its inaugural year, the Commission ignited considerable public interest and attention. Its greatest accomplishments so far have been to highlight for the public specific areas where health system performance falls short of what is achievable, and to make the case for a holistic approach to reforming health care.

The Commission on a High Performance Health System is chaired by David Blumenthal, M.D., Samuel O. Thier Professor of Medicine and Professor of Health Care Policy at Massachusetts General Hospital/Partners HealthCare System and Harvard Medical School. Stuart Guterman is the Commission's executive director, Cathy Schoen, M.S., is the Commission's research director, and Rachel Nuzum, M.P.H., is the senior policy director.

For more information, visit the Commission page.