A newly formed consortium of U.S. businesses on Feb. 8 announced the release of a guide designed to help employers purchase healthcare that supports the Department of Health and Human Services' plan to establish value-driven healthcare in the U.S.
"The Purchaser Guide to Value-driven Health Care," issued by the Partnership for Value-Driven Health Care, provides strategies that employers and other healthcare purchasers can use to meet each of the Administration's four cornerstones of value-driven healthcare, according to Kat Song, spokesperson for The Leapfrog Group, a member of the Partnership.
HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt endorsed the guide, saying it provides "an important service for employees and for our healthcare system."
"Value-driven health care is about putting healthcare quality and cost information into the hands of consumers so they can make the choices that are right for them," Leavitt said. "Most Americans get their health insurance through their employer or union – that's why it's crucial for them to provide good information to their employees and members."
John J. Castellani, president of the Business Roundtable, an association of 160 chief executive officers responsible for establishing the Partnership, said the guide provides the actionable information employers need to set healthcare reform in motion.
"The nation's employers need to understand that value-driven health care must be a priority in their purchasing decisions if we are to move toward a more efficient health care system," Castellani said.
John Engler, president of the National Association of Manufacturers, also a member of the Partnership, said NAM is committed to assisting its members in promoting quality healthcare for its employees. "Manufacturers have a long history in providing healthcare benefits for their employees and taking a leading role in shaping the healthcare system," Engler said.
So far, more than 175 companies -up from 100 in December- have pledged to abide by the president's transparency plan for advancing value-driven healthcare, including most recently General Motors, Chrysler Group, and Ford Motor company. The transparency initiative is part of the Administration's plan to allow consumers to choose providers based on information about the quality and care they provide. For the initiative to work, care outcome and pricing information must be gathered and transmitted via healthcare IT systems.
The Partnership was formed in 2006 and includes the American Benefits Council, Bridges to Excellence, Corporate Health Care Coalition, The ERISA Industry Committee, HR Policy Association, The Leapfrog Group, National Association of Manufacturers, National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors, National Business Coalition on Health, National Business Group on Health, National Federation of Independent Businesses, National Retail Federation, Society for Human Resource Management, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Song said.