- How Do We Improve Care for America's Most Complex Patients?: Politico Pulse by Dan Diamond—According to a new "playbook" from five foundations, it starts with boosting social services—and investing in staff like care coordinators and shuttle drivers. An accompanying survey from The Commonwealth Fund also underscores the importance of addressing social determinants of health, which can contribute to ongoing health challenges. Nearly two-thirds of high-needs patients experienced stress about their ability to afford housing, utilities or nutrition. That's almost twice the response from patients without high needs. Read: How High-Need Patients Experience Health Care in the United States.
- Online 'Playbook' for High-Need Patients Released: Medscape Medical News by Ken Terry—A new online "playbook," designed to improve the care provided to patients with complex needs, including medical, behavioral, and social issues, was launched today at the inaugural meeting of the National Center for Complex Health and Social Needs. This new organization is led by Jeffrey Brenner, M.D., who is nationally recognized for his work with high-need patients in Camden, New Jersey. Five foundations—the John A. Hartford Foundation, the Peterson Center on Healthcare, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the SCAN Foundation, and The Commonwealth Fund—sponsored the playbook and will also participate in its further development and dissemination.