Commonwealth article: How states organize for reform will determine if law is a success

Because national health reform legislation was written with an emphasis on state's taking a lead role on implementation, how states begin to organize their efforts will be a critical determinant of whether the new law is successful in improving the U.S. health care system, according to a new article in the Commonwealth Fund’s States in Action report (Source: "Getting Organized—How States Are Preparing to Implement National Health Reform,” Commonwealth Fund States in Action, July/August 2010)
 

Authored by HPIO Interim Director Greg Moody,  the article outlines steps already being taken by a number of states.

“One of the first steps governors are taking to implement national health reform is to identify the state leaders who will guide the process,” according to the article. “Many governors have already formed health reform cabinets or task forces that report directly to them. At least 16 governors have created these implementation teams and outlined their responsibilities through executive orders or press releases.