Universal healthcare tops the list of 11 healthcare reform priorities being advocated by the American Medical Group Association as the new administration and Congress start promised work on healthcare reform.
The focus of the priorities is on what the AMGA calls "accountable healthcare delivery." Several recommendations center on the restructuring of reimbursement, delivery mode, tort reform and prevention and wellness.
The AMGA, which represents some of the nation's largest medical practices, unveiled its priorities for reform last week after the organization's board of directors approved them.
"AMGA looks forward to working with the new administration and Congress to make necessary reforms and improvements in our healthcare system; there is much to be done," said AMGA President and CEO Donald W. Fisher. "While undertaking such thoroughgoing reform will be challenging in these difficult economic times, maintaining our current system will have an even greater cost, in terms not only of finance but of quality patient care."
AMGA's reform priorities highlight several practices commonly found in the model of healthcare delivery practiced by multispecialty medical groups and other organized systems of care.
The key points are:
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All Americans should have access to healthcare. Changes among all payers will be necessary.
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Delivery system reform. The healthcare delivery system must be transformed from a fragmented non-system to an organized system of care.
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Multispecialty medical groups/organized systems of care. The multispecialty medical group and organized systems of care delivery model should be supported as a matter of national policy.
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Community-based accountability for healthcare services. Those who deliver healthcare should be accountable for their services to the communities served.
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Shift payments from volume to value. The healthcare reimbursement system must shift from pay-for-volume to pay-for-value.
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Incentives. Incentives should be in place to encourage coordinated care and are needed to expand health information technology.
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Professional liability (medical malpractice) reform. Professional liability (medical malpractice) reform must be a component of healthcare reform.
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Comparative effectiveness. Comparative effectiveness must be a component of healthcare reform.
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Prevention and wellness. Preventive measures and wellness practices should be adopted to address chronic disease and obesity.
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Enhancing the healthcare workforce. Increase numbers, expand loans and grants and address payment inequities.
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Transparency in business relationships. Those with involvement in patient care should make public their significant financial, ownership or similar relationships.