Comparative Effectiveness And Health Information Technology Are Essential To Healthcare Reform
2008 eHealth Initiative Annual Conference in Washington, D.C.
December 4, 2008
WASHINGTON – Addressing the eHealth Initiative Annual Conference here today, Scott P. Serota, president and chief executive officer of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), called on Congress and the new administration to support comparative effectiveness research and health information technology to improve healthcare quality, safety and affordability.
"We have a unique opportunity to work together to advance healthcare reform. It will take all stakeholders – consumers, employers, healthcare professionals, policy makers, insurers and others – working together to forge a bold vision and a clear roadmap to achieve the kind of healthcare system we want for future generations.
"There is a growing consensus that our future healthcare system must be built on a foundation of evidence-based care. Nearly a year ago, BCBSA rolled out the 'Pathway to Covering America,' a comprehensive plan that builds on the employer-based system to improve quality, rein-in costs and expand coverage to everyone. One of the key tenets of our Pathway is an independent comparative effectiveness institute to encourage research on what works and put it into practice."
Examples of initiatives by Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies to improve quality and value are highlighted in "The Pathway to Covering America," which can be found on the BCBSA Web site at: www.bcbs.com/issues/uninsured/pathway-to-covering-america/.
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is a national federation of 39 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies that collectively provide healthcare coverage for 100 million members - one-in-three Americans. For more information on the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and its member companies, please visit www.BCBS.com.
