Reducing Health Care Costs

Cancer care should be evidenced based, integrated with palliative care, and be the model for patient-family centered care. Cancer not only affects the individual but also the family. Studies have shown that when palliative care is introduced at an earlier time in the care of lung cancer, the patients with palliative care as well as their usual oncology care have better quality outcomes and live longer than those without a palliative care provider. I am sure this intervention would also apply to many other types of cancer. So the best way to improve quality and reduce spending is the integration of oncology, primary, and palliative care. Cancer care should be evidenced based, integrated with palliative care, and be the model for patient-family centered care. Cancer not only affects the individual but also the family. Studies have shown that when palliative care is introduced at an earlier time in the care of lung cancer, the patients with palliative care as well as their usual oncology care have better quality outcomes and live longer than those without a palliative care provider. I am sure this intervention would also apply to many other types of cancer. So the best way to improve quality and reduce spending is the integration of oncology, primary, and palliative care.

Vermont passed legislation in 2011 which was designed to bring health care costs under control by developing a fully integrated system that would cover all Vermonters. There were three phases to the legislation. The first was the creation of the Green Mountain Care Board. This five member board, appointed by the Governor, has broad powers including approval of all hospital budgets, insurer rates, and development of a universal benefit package for all Vermonters. The general principle is that we must move away from fee-for-service reimbursement and toward a system that rewards quality and value. Vermont passed legislation in 2011 which was designed to bring health care costs under control by developing a fully integrated system that would cover all Vermonters. There were three phases to the legislation. The first was the creation of the Green Mountain Care Board. This five member board, appointed by the Governor, has broad powers including approval of all hospital budgets, insurer rates, and development of a universal benefit package for all Vermonters. The general principle is that we must move away from fee-for-service reimbursement and toward a system that rewards quality and value.