Comparing the Obama and McCain Plans for Health Care Reform
October 2, 2008 - A new analysis examines key differences and areas of agreement in the health system reform proposals of presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama. The report describes how each candidate would seek to expand health insurance coverage, improve the quality and efficiency of the health system, and control costs. Also see a Web feature that compares the two plans.
Karen Davis Gives House Testimony on Ensuring Families' 'Health Security'
September 23, 2008 - In invited testimony before the House Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Health, Commonwealth Fund president Karen Davis said that federal action is needed "to guarantee affordable coverage that provides adequate financial protection and ensures that individuals can obtain needed care--the two essential functions of health insurance."
Medical Homes Can Reduce Hospitalizations and Total Health Care Costs
September 10, 2008 - Through innovations like patient-centered medical homes, Geisinger Health System in Pennsylvania is improving its quality of care and achieving better outcomes for patients, while at the same time lowering costs and increasing value. A new Health Affairs article by The Commonwealth Fund's Karen Davis and Geisinger's Ronald Paulus, M.D., and Glenn Steele, M.D., examines their approach and offers policies that could help spread its practices and care models more broadly.
Survey: 79 Million Americans Have Medical Bill or Medical Debt Problems
August 20, 2008 - A new report from The Commonwealth Fund, which draws on four years of survey data, finds 41 percent of working-age Americans—or 72 million people—have medical bill problems or are paying off medical debt, up from 34 percent in 2005. In addition, a companion issue brief finds that 7 million adults age 65 and over are dealing with these issues, for a total of 79 million adults with medical bill or debt problems.
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. Read the 2007 Annual Report for highlights of the Fund's activities.
DC Policy Updates
Washington Health Policy Week in Review
Medicaid enrollment swells as economy worsens; CBO to consider options for controlling health care costs; and more.
Commission on a High Performance Health System
Health Care System Needs Major OverhaulDissatisfaction with the U.S. health care system is running high, and 82 percent of Americans think it should be fundamentally changed or completely rebuilt, according to a new survey from The Commonwealth Fund. A new report from The Commonwealth Fund Commission on a High Performance Health System offers strategies that could create an organized, efficient health care system while simultaneously improving care and cutting costs.
Newsletter Spotlight
Health Care Process Improvement
A look at trends in health care process improvement, and a case study of an ophthalmology practice that applied manufacturing techniques to streamline work processes and improve access to care.
From the President
The Presidential Candidates' Health Reform Plans: Important Choices for the Nation
The presidential candidates have responded to Americans' deep-seated concern about the shortcomings of the U.S. health system with two very different health reform proposals. A new series of articles published on the Web site of the health policy journal Health Affairs provides important analyses of the health plans of Senators Obama and McCain. Yet, these articles also merit examination.
Featured Podcast
Investing in Children's Health and Development
The Assuring Better Child Health and Development initiative was designed to improve the delivery of developmental services though policy and practice change in selected states. In Iowa, a focus on screening, as well as on the mental health of the family and referrals to appropriate providers for treatment, has led to more comprehensive care.-
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Most Viewed
- Quality Matters: Health Care Process Improvement | Publications
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- Iowa's 1st Five Initiative: Improving Early Childhood Developmental Services Through Public–Private Partnerships | Publications
- New Report: Pilot Test Shows Patient-Centered Medical Homes for Primary Care Can Reduce Hospital Admissions and Total Medical Costs | Newsroom
