Measuring Total Investments in Health

Research has shown a positive relationship between spending on socialservices and improved health.1 As researchers, policymakers and the generalpublic begin to better recognize the many factors influencing individual andpopulation health beyond direct clinical care, some localities, states, federalagencies and research organizations have shown interest and engaged in efforts tomeasure the total investments being made to […]

The Case For Care Coordinators

Health care delivery is usually discussed in broad, dramatic strokes: open heart surgeries, organ transplants, cancer patient survival rates. But seemingly insignificant things can dramatically impact health care delivery. For example, a patient misses a crucial doctor’s appointment because they lack transportation, leading to another hospital stay. Or, a patient with diabetes lets their health […]

What Every Health Care Leader Should Know About Medicaid Waivers

The Medicaid and uninsured populations don’t have to be an economic burden for hospitals and health systems if they are managed well. The key is to focus on managing risk and outcomes in these patient groups in many of the same ways health care executives manage commercial or Medicare populations. Houston-based Texas Children’s Hospital established […]

Care Coordination Valuable Then, Vital Now

Recognition of the need to better coordinate the fragmented pieces and parts of a patient’s health care services is not new. Coordination of care has, however, become an increasingly hot topic due to implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and health reforms that encourage decreased traditional hospital utilization and enhanced care management, particularly for […]