The National Academy for State Health Policy released a report from its State Health Policies Aimed at Promoting Excellent Systems project. This report examines if and how states are using different policy tools to create high perofrmance health systems (Source: "States' roles in shaping high performance health systems," The Commonwealth Fund, April 10, 2008).
Key findings of the report include:
States' multiple roles in the health care system create opportunities for promoting performance; many states avail themselves of these opportunities. Every state reported some activity that promotes achievement of a high performance health system. States continue to focus strongly on securing insurance coverage and access to health care services for vulnerable populations. States are moving beyond historic roles to exert influence with the private insurance market, leverage purchasing power, and collaborate more with the private sector. Few states are actively pursuing system performance in areas such as efficiency and patient safety. In every area examined, there is room for states to do more in pursuit of a high performing health system. Ongoing mechanisms to monitor, study, and report state activities could help diffuse and speed adoption of promising policies and practices. More in-depth exploration of specific areas of state activity could yield richer information that would aid state and national efforts to improve system performance. Opportunities for state-to-state exchange could help transfer knowledge and experience and spark new and innovative approaches through joint state problem-solving.
