JHF Sponsors the Better Healthcare Policy Group Meeting in DC

The Jewish Healthcare Foundation (JHF) sponsored the "Better Healthcare Policy Group" meeting held on March 12 at the office of The American College of Surgeons in Washington, DC. JHF Chief Policy Officer Robert Ferguson, MPH, was present to represent JHF.

The meeting was designed to elicit input from a broader group of stakeholders to inform and advance a plan to address flaws in the current healthcare system. This plan, "Better Care Plan: A Blueprint for Improving America's Healthcare System," was published in 2023 by Stephen Shortell, PhD, MPH, MBA, Blue Cross of California Distinguished Professor of Health Policy, Management Emeritus and Dean Emeritus, and Professor of Organizational Behavior Emeritus, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkley; John Toussaint, MD, internist, former healthcare CEO, and executive chairman of the board of Catalysis; George Halvorson, chairman and chief executive officer, Kaiser Permanente; Jon Kingsdale, PhD; Richard Scheffler, PhD, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Health Economics and Public Policy in the School of Public Health and Goldman School of Public Policy, University of California, Berkeley and director of the Nicholas C. Petris Center on Health Care Markets and Consumer Welfare; Allyson Schwartz, senior advisor of FTI Consulting; Peter Wadsworth, MBA, a former healthcare investment banker involved with managed care; and Gail Wilensky, PhD, economist and senior fellow at Project HOPE.

During the meeting, the 40 participants broke into a series of breakout discussions to provide feedback on the elements of the Blueprint, including provider certification for quality and team-based care, transitioning payers and purchasers to risk-adjusted prospective payment models, and a National Patient Safety System. The National Patient Safety Board Act, introduced in the U.S. House in March was referenced throughout the day. The meeting also included updates from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, National Committee for Quality Assurance, National Quality Forum, The Leapfrog Group, and the Purchaser Business Group on Health. The participants expressed interest in joining follow-up discussions to identify next steps.