National Health Care Reform - Back on the Table

Advocacy groups, congressional staff, members of Congress, the Senate and the Administration are all working to reform health care.  The latest intelligence suggests that both chambers of Congress will act prior to the August Congressional recess, which means hearings, white papers, trial balloons, press releases, op-eds and grassroots action heating up over the next few months.  Given the breadth of what is being discussed, anything that touches the health care system - from providers, insurers, workers, consumers, hospitals, nursing homes and others, will be seeing how they fit into the complex puzzle of reform.

In preparation for committee consideration in June, the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, Senators Max Baucus (D-MT) and Charles Grassley (R-IA) recently set up a series of health reform roundtables in April and May to focus on delivery system reform, coverage and financing, demonstrating the desire to collaborate in efforts to achieve this objective. In the press release on the series from the Committee On Finance, it indicates that both parties are teaming up to "facilitate discussion between Finance Committee Members and health care policy and industry experts, and to inform the development of a comprehensive health care reform bill."  Each of the policy options they have released thus far could have a tremendous impact on MMIS systems, providers, reimbursement and chronic disease management to name a few.  The Committee's press release and policy option descriptions were released last week and noted that they are accepting public comment and the deadline is May 15, 2009.

You may be wondering how it will affect you and what you can do about it.  There are 5 BIG questions you should be asking yourself to evaluate your preparedness:                                

1. What will be the role of states in reform?                               
2. How will reform impact my existing constituents and customers?                              
3. How can I align my business strategies with the goals of reform?                               
4. Do I know all the ways that this will impact my business?                               
5. When the rules change, will I be prepared? 

Sellers Dorsey can help.  Our expert consultants are well versed in health care reform and have sat at the helm of many projects, plans and policy developments focused on this topic.  We combine our expertise in politics, policy and the business of the health care industry and work with our clients on strategies for states and businesses to prepare for change.    To find out more about how Sellers Dorsey can assist you and your business, contact Chris Labonte at 215.279.9746 or clabonte@sellersdorsey.com.    

Imagining 16%-12%: Sellers Dorsey Collaborator, Milliman, Inc., Highlights Health Care Cost Savings Model  

Sellers Dorsey collaborator Milliman, Inc.is the largest independent actuarial and consulting firm in the world.  In an article published in early 2009, Milliman discussed their "16 to 12" model for reducing the 16% of GDP the US spends on healthcare down to 12%. 
 
Bruce Pyenson, a principal and Consulting Actuary with Milliman (also one of the authors of the article), feels that this model for reducing wasteful healthcare spending could bolster a new economy. Pyenson remarked, "For the nation, this vision offers more winners than losers. Patients and consumers would be the biggest winner and the U.S. economy overall would benefit. States would get relief from budget deficits caused by Medicaid and state employee health programs.  Employers would minimize the yoke of expensive benefits that has made it difficult to compete with leaner companies in other countries.  Many proposals for healthcare reform now have the glamour of springtime fashions. Our 16% to 12% vision helps measure what's under these emperors' new clothes." 
 

Curious About Something? Ask Sellers Dorsey   

Sellers Dorsey receives a number of questions in response to our newsletter each month.  In efforts to share information that may be useful to you, we have decided to include some of these questions and answers from our staff in our monthly newsletter.    To view some of the questions from our last newsletter, including questions concerning State Health Access Grant requirements, click here.