The Race for Better Healthcare
Massachusetts' recent legislation requiring every citizen to purchase healthcare insurance was widely reported in the media. The state's 500,000 uninsured, mostly of lower income, will be offered new, affordable plans and subsidies. People and businesses who refuse may face tax penalties. The interesting and still-to-be-developed aspect of this plan is the pay-for-performance requirement. All that additional Medicaid money (hundreds of millions) going to docs will be contingent on meeting quality standards. Said standards to be developed by 2007. The Boston Globe reports that Governor Romney has a web site comparing hospitals and doctors on quality and costs, using billing data to analyze individual hospital mortality rates and other measures. Hospitals are arguing for measures from clinical data or patient's medical records.
Massachusetts adds a dollop of liberalism in also insisting that doctors show they are reducing racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare outcomes. Surprise surprise, politicos and media have been silent on just how this will be done. Any ideas?
Tags: EMR+PR, Healthcare+Quality, Hospital+Pricing, Online+PR, Pay-for-Performance
Posted by Shawn Whalen on April 21, 2006 at 4:00 PM
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