On June 2, HHS and CMS announced that states were invited to apply to participate in a Multi-payer Advanced Primary Care Practice Demonstration (MAPCPD). This demonstration represents a marked evolution and maturation in how CMS is thinking about transforming primary care to be more effective in improving health outcomes and controlling costs. This demonstration establishes [...]
On April 22, the Chief Actuary for Medicare, Mr. Richard Foster, issued a memorandum outlining what the likely financial impact of the health reform law will be on our federal health insurance programs. For the extraordinary scope, complexity and systems thinking required to do this work, I find his report to be extremely readable and [...]
On Monday, Oct. 12 Congressman Patrick Murphy paid a visit to HQP to meet some of our participants, hear more about our program and discuss his views on health care reform. It was a fun and informative session. Bill Walker, Bill Lloyd, and Betty Lou Eisold very ably described for the Congressman what being a [...]
The body of evidence that preventive interventions can improve health outcomes in older adults is overwhelming. Alone and in combination, physical activity, weight management, healthy eating, fall prevention, vaccinations, social engagement, home safety, etc., are found to be beneficial for older adults. Yet it is often noted that for all of the apparent “promise” [...]
The three committees in the House of Representatives with jurisdiction on health care (Education and Labor, Ways and Means, and Energy and Commerce) have issued a combined “Tri-committee” discussion draft on proposed health care reform legislation. A critical and innovative component of this draft is a pilot program for the “Community-Based Medical Home” (Sec. 1302. [...]
