May 8, 2012 - Japan has been able to maintain access to care and avoid rationing while also taking advantage of the latest medical technology by applying a standardized fee schedule for nearly all health care goods and services and combining hospital and physician fees, according to this Commonwealth Fund–supported research.
In the Literature
May 3, 2012 - This Commonwealth Fund analysis of 13 industrialized countries finds the U.S. spends far more on health care than any other country. However this high spending cannot be attributed to higher income, an older population, or greater supply or utilization of hospitals and doctors. Instead, the findings suggest the higher spending is more likely due to higher prices and perhaps more readily accessible technology and greater obesity.
Issue Brief
May 1, 2012 - This article, based on a survey of quality improvement directors at 537 hospitals, describes strategies associated with lower mortality rates for patients admitted with a heart attack. These include: holding meetings between clinicians and emergency medical services to review cases and always having cardiologists on site, among others.
In the Literature
April 26, 2012 - In this New England Journal of Medicine article, Commonwealth Fund Commission chair David Blumenthal proposes a coordinated plan that addresses the "root causes of our health care crisis."
In Brief
April 26, 2012 - The Commonwealth Fund Commission on a High Performance Health System believes the federal government needs a comprehensive, disciplined implementation plan that takes full advantage of the new opportunities provided by the Affordable Care Act, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act. The Commission identifes some general principles to help guide this strategic plan.
Fund Report
April 19, 2012 - One-quarter of adults ages 19 to 64 experienced a gap in their health insurance in 2011, with a majority remaining uninsured for one year or more, according to the The Commonwealth Fund Health Insurance Tracking Survey of U.S. Adults.
Issue Brief
April 16, 2012 - In this article, experts at The Commonwealth Fund examine the role the law will have in increasing the use of preventive health services. The authors estimate that through expanded access to insurance coverage, reduced financial barriers to care, and improved quality of care delivery, an additional 9.8 million patients will receive recommended preventive services.
In Brief
April 13, 2012 - This issue brief lays out a number of innovative strategies CO-OP organizers are developing to increase the odds of long-term sustainability and economic success of this approach to providing affordable health plans.
Issue Brief
April 9, 2012 - With Commonwealth Fund support, researchers used Hospital Quality Alliance data on more than 4 million patients at 4,500 hospitals to analyze the effects of different pay-for-performance designs on disparities in care between minority and white patients.
In Brief
April 9, 2012 - The author of this Commonwealth Fund-supported study suggests strategies elder law attorneys can use to advocate for their assisted-living clients when their rights are compromised.
In Brief
April 6, 2012 - Under the Affordable Care Act, health plans will need to report on their quality improvement activities regarding plan or coverage benefits and certain provider reimbursement structures. In this Commonwealth Fund report, the authors propose a framework that can be used to identify and develop measures and reporting requirements.
Fund Report
April 6, 2012 - This Commonwealth Fund-supported campaign is reinvigorating efforts to improve the quality of care and quality of life for those living or recuperating in America's nursing homes.
Other
April 5, 2012 - Commonwealth Fund publications and research on health insurance premiums.
Other
April 5, 2012 - Alternative payment models have gained momentum in the U.S. and abroad to align health care providers' incentives with value rather than volume.
International Innovation
April 5, 2012 - Consumers nationwide would have received an estimated $2 billion in rebates from health insurers if the new medical loss ratio (MLR) rules enacted in the Affordable Care Act had been in effect in 2010, according to this new study.
Issue Brief