Commonwealth Fund Research Calls For "Major Changes"

Aligns with BCBSA's 5-point proposal

August 7, 2008

WASHINGTON – In response to new polling data released today by the Commonwealth Fund and conducted by Harris Interactive showing widespread public support for "major changes" in the nation's healthcare system, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) President Scott P. Serota issued the following statement:

"The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association agrees with the survey's central finding:  it is time for a change in how we deliver healthcare in America.  These findings show that – by wide margins – consumers want a system that ensures timely access, better coordination of care, administrative simplification, and expanded use of health information technology for patients and providers.

"This past January, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association released a comprehensive five-point plan that addresses the key issues highlighted by consumers in this survey.  Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies are urging policymakers to embrace this agenda and to enact meaningful reforms that will address the roots causes of rising costs and the uninsured, including:

1. Encourage research on what works.  With 30 percent of healthcare spending in this nation going to services that are ineffective, redundant, and inappropriate, America needs an independent institute - funded by private and public payers - to support research comparing the relative effectiveness of new and existing medical procedures, drugs, devices, and biologics.
   
   
2. Change incentives to promote better care.  The incentives in our system must be changed to advance the best possible care, instead of paying for more services that may be ineffective, redundant, or even harmful.
   
   
3. Empower consumers and providers.  We must give consumers and providers the information and tools they need to make informed decisions.  This starts with information systems to manage personal health records and an electronic health record in every doctor's office.  In addition, consumers need to know how much they are paying and what they are getting for it.
   
   
4. Promote health and wellness.  We must promote healthy lifestyles to prevent chronic illness and work aggressively to help patients with chronic illnesses manage their own health.
   
   
5. Foster public-private coverage solutions.  The Blue Cross and Blue Shield organization believes everyone should have health insurance.  We need to tailor our coverage plans to capture the diversity of the uninsured population so that no one gets squeezed out by cost, misses out on available government assistance, or opts out because they do not think they need coverage."