The Commonwealth Fund -- Health Policy, Health Reform, and Performance Improvement

2008 Health System Scorecard Finds No Improvement Overall

July 17, 2008 - In its first health system scorecard released two years ago, The Commonwealth Fund Commission on a High Performance Health System found that the United States fell far short of benchmarks for access, quality, efficiency, and other key measures of health system performance. The 2008 edition of the scorecard paints an even bleaker picture, with the U.S. scoring an average of 65 out of a possible 100 across 37 indicators—slightly below the overall score in the 2006 report. Read the report and review data highlights in a Web feature. Also see a New York Times article on study.

New Study Finds 25 Million U.S. Adults Are Underinsured

June 10, 2008 - The number of underinsured U.S. adults--people who have health coverage that does not adequately protect them from high medical expenses—has risen dramatically, finds a new Commonwealth Fund study published as a Health Affairs Web Exclusive. As of 2007, there were an estimated 25 million underinsured adults in the United States, up 60 percent from 2003.

Practicing Patient-Centered Care in Wisconsin

June 26, 2008 - The Wheaton Franciscan Medical Group is one of 12 primary care practices featured in Commonwealth Fund case studies of primary care practices that scored highly on patient experience surveys. Also listen to a related episode of New Directions in Health Care: The Commonwealth Fund Podcast.

Ranking the States on Children's Health Care

May 28, 2008 - The first-ever state-by-state health system "scorecard" on children's health care finds wide differences across the country in the quality of care delivered, as well as disparities in access to services, insurance costs, and health outcomes. According to the report, millions more children would have insurance and adequate health care, and would avoid developmental delays, if all states performed as well as Iowa, Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts, and Ohio. See our interactive U.S. map for state details.

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

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

Interest groups celebrate Medicare bill's passage; business coalition voices concerns over Wyden's health care bill; and more.

Commission on a High Performance Health System

Report Sees Major Savings by Combining Universal Coverage with Health Reform Options

This 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.

Newsletter Spotlight

States in Action: June/July 2008

This issue focuses on pursuing value in health care, both in terms of improving quality and controlling costs. We describe new tools for measuring returns on investments, initiatives for managing high-cost and chronic care patients, and federally designated collaboratives that are implementing value-driven initiatives.

View all newsletters »

From the President

Insurance in Name Only

The purposes of health insurance are to ensure financial access to needed care and protect against financial hardship from medical bills. Unfortunately, for many of those with health insurance, neither purpose is fulfilled. Read more »

Featured Podcast

RESPECT: Practicing Patient-Centered Care in Wisconsin

Because the U.S. health system is complex and fragmented, physicians find it difficult at times to put the needs of patients first. But some health care practices deliver patient-centered care despite the odds. In this episode, producer Sandy Hausman visits the Wheaton Franciscan Medical Group in Racine, Wisconsin, where staff are dedicated to exceptional patient service as well as superior clinical quality.