In The Spotlight

Racial and Ethnic Disparities: States and Feds to the Rescue?

With a substantial body of evidence showing that racial and ethnic minorities receive poorer quality care than others, state and federal policy makers are looking for ways to reduce disparities. Some states have begun to experiment with strategies for reducing health disparities. Read More

While the United States delivers some of the best medical care in the world, there are major inefficiencies in our system. We have high rates of medical errors, millions without health insurance coverage, and lower utilization of advanced health information technology than most western European nations. What can we learn about coverage patterns and health care costs in other countries that might help inform our choices in the U.S.? This briefing, cosponsored by The Commonwealth Fund, addressed these and related questions.  Read More

Comparative effectiveness research holds out the tantalizing prospect of making it easier for patients and their doctors to choose the best treatment. Who should conduct such research -- government, the private sector or some combination? Who should decide which interventions to evaluate? Who will pay for it? This briefing, cosponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, addressed these and related questions. Read More

An estimated 125 million individuals in the United States have a chronic illness, disability or functional limitation. Chronic diseases are the number one cause of death and disability in the United States and account for three quarters of the nation’s health spending. What models for improving care coordination exist and how can they be more widely implemented? Is there evidence that improved treatment of chronic care can reduce costs? Or increase costs? This briefing, cosponsored with Novartis and the National Institute for Health Care Management, addresses these and related questions.  Read More