For
Immediate Release – October 13, 2010
CONTACT:
Megan Castonguay / VAHHS / (802) 223-3461 x107 / Megan@VAHHS.org
Vermont
Associations Release Joint Health Care Reform Recommendations
MONTPELIER,
VT – Five of Vermont’s health care associations today released a joint report outlining
their health care reform guiding principles and recommendations for policy
makers. This release coincides with the
most recent update to the Vermont Health Care Commission by Dr. William Hsiao,
the Harvard-based economist who is developing three health system design options
for consideration by the General Assembly.
The
associations identified a number of important themes. These include:
1)
State
health care reform initiatives need to be fully aligned with the federal
Affordable Care Act (ACA).
2)
Health
care professionals and providers should be full partners with health plans and
state government in planning for and implementing new payment methodologies,
delivery system reforms and insurance reforms.
3)
Payment
incentives designed to support a re-defined health care system need to promote
quality value and improved access..
4)
The
ability to deliver improved health care outcomes requires greater attention to
and resources for health information technology, workforce education,
recruitment and retention as well as expanded prevention/wellness programs. Keeping Vermonters healthy includes having an
adequate supply of primary care clinicians to ensure access to preventive and
primary care services.
5)
Most
providers, particularly long term care and home health, face substantial net
funding reductions under the ACA that must be considered by state policy
makers.
“Identifying
joint recommendations and guiding principles better prepares us to be engaged
in the important discussions ahead,” said Bea Grause, President and CEO of the
Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems. “Like Vermont’s previous reform success
stories, further health care reform will depend upon the close collaboration of
all stakeholders and policy makers, with the interest of the patient as the
central focus.”
The
participating health care associations include Bi-State Primary Care Association (representing community health
centers, free clinics, rural health clinics and area health education centers), the Vermont Assembly of Home Health
Agencies, the Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems, the Vermont
Health Care Association (representing nursing homes, residential care and
assisted living facilities) and the Vermont Medical Society (representing
physicians).
To read
the paper in its entirety visit www.VAHHS.org/pressroom/ReformReadinessPaper.pdf
Contact information for each
association:
Bi-State
Primary Care Association: Denis Barton - DBarton@bistatepca.org
Vermont Assembly of Home Health Agencies: Peter Cobb
- vahha@comcast.net
Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems:
Megan Castonguay - Megan@VAHHS.org
Vermont Health Care Association: Laura Pelosi - LPelosi@vhca.net
Vermont Medical Society: Paul Harrington - PHarrington@VTMD.org