Monday, February 1, 2010

Quality and Valerie Jarrett at Families

Regions of the US with higher health care spending actually have worse health outcomes, according to Elliott Fisher from Dartmouth. Friday’s Families conference started with a fascinating plenary about the disconnect between what we spend on health care and what we get, followed by concrete guidance for providers who want to improve the quality of care they deliver. As a state based advocate, I found the workshops on exchanges, subsidies, benefit packages, and states’ roles in reform were very useful. At lunch, Valerie Jarrett, White House Senior Advisor, came to thank us for our advocacy and to urge us on.
Ellen Andrews