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Programmatic Goals Directly Associated with the Commission Improve health insurance coverage and access to care for all Americans by increasing the knowledge of the public and of policy leaders about the uninsured and underinsured and the consequences of inadequate coverage, and by stimulating new efforts at the federal and state government levels and private sector to expand insurance coverage. Enhance Medicare's capacity to be an innovative leader in coverage, quality improvement, and value by evaluating policy options and practices for achieving better access, improved quality, and greater efficiency for Medicare beneficiaries—particularly the most vulnerable ones—and for the health care system overall. Improve the quality and promote the efficiency of health care services by reporting on opportunities to increase the effectiveness, safety, and cost-effectiveness of health care at all levels of delivery; identifying, evaluating, and disseminating promising models of care, as well as the practices of high-performing health care providers and systems; and exploring policy changes or opportunities to achieve higher quality and efficiency. Identify, assess, replicate, and diffuse policies and practices that improve the ability of the health care system, particularly primary care practices, to deliver sensitive and appropriate care to all patients, and create more opportunities for patients and their families to provide information on their experiences to their providers that can be used as a platform for improvement of care. Identify and assess working solutions at the state or local level that contribute to high performance by addressing access, quality, and efficiency, and disseminate those experiences to stimulate new efforts to improve state and local health system performance. This goal includes supporting work in the Fund's community, New York City.     Previous | 1 2 3 4 5 | Next   Previous Article | Next Article

Recommended top health policy priorities for Congress over the next five years Source: The Commonwealth Fund Health Care Opinion Leaders Survey, Nov.-Dec. 2004.