Over the past few decades, health care costs have risen, quality has fallen, and, today, far too many Americans continue to lack access to affordable coverage and care. And now, with COVID-19 continuing to ravage our communities, people have found themselves trapped in a health care system that too often isn’t up to the task of keeping our communities healthy.

But there’s a path out of the darkness. Rather than letting ourselves get bogged down in tired, polarized debates… rather than focusing on extreme, impractical solutions… we can start a new chapter in American health care. One built on respectful, thoughtful conversations.

One built on Healthy Dialogue.

Featuring prominent health care leaders such as Verily Health president Vivian Lee, conservative thought-leader Avik Roy and U.S. Representative, former HHS Secretary and U.S. Representative Donna Shalala (D-FL 27), and Intermountain Healthcare CEO Marc Harrison… Healthy Dialogue provides a comprehensive and balanced look at what is and isn’t working in health care today. 

Learn more: https://achp.org/news/healthy-dialogue

The COVID-19 crisis has been a public health catastrophe, leaving 6 million+ infected and nearly 200,000 dead. But, to combat the pandemic, the health care industry has begun to develop rapid, off-the-cuff innovations in American health care. 

ACHP's Ceci Connolly explores some of those changes, assesses their staying power in a post-pandemic health system and discusses systemic obstacles to even more innovation.

Guests:

Dr. Vivian Lee

Dr. Stephen Parodi, Executive Vice President, The Permanente Federation     

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Resources:

The Long Fix: Solving America's Health Care Crisis with Strategies that Work for Everyone by Dr. Vivian Lee - Available now on Amazon

Learn more about Kaiser Permanente and the Permanente Federation

Change in the U.S. health care system generally happens in one of two ways: either voluntarily through health plans and clinical systems, or legislatively through Congress. This episode looks at both approaches and introduces “Health Care 2030: ACHP’s Roadmap to Reform” – a 10-year blueprint for maximizing both the voluntary and the legislative.

Guests:

Former HHS Secretary and U.S. Rep. Donna Shalala (D, FL-27)

Dr. Marc Harrison, CEO and President, Intermountain Healthcare

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Resources:

"What One Health Care CEO Is Learning from the Pandemic", Harvard Business Review, by Dr. Marc Harrison

In much of American health care, payers and providers are separate, distinct entities that simply have a business arrangement. But there are exceptions to that rule, and close payer-provider alignment can generate innovations that not only work for then, but for the patient. Ceci explores the power of those relationships, as well as value and affordability in the current system.

Guests:

Dr. Susan Turney, President and CEO, Marshfield Clinic Health System

Julie Brussow, President, Security Health Plan

Avik Roy, President, The Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity, and Policy Editor, Forbes

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Resources:

“Tackle affordability through competition or it will come through government control”, Modern Healthcare, by Avik Roy

“Medicare Advantage for All”, FREOP, by Avik Roy

The American health care system is dominated by misaligned financial incentives, rewarding providers for more--but not necessarily BETTER--treatment. In this episode, Ceci and guests we discuss ways to shift our health care approach away from volume – and the waste and unnecessary care it involves - and to a model focused on value. Research repeatedly shows that a value-based, outcome-focused system reduces costs and produces better health outcomes. Hear what the experts have to say in Ep 4 of Healthy Dialogue.  

Guests:

Shannon Brownlee, Senior Vice President, Lown Institute

Diane Holder, President and CEO, UPMC Health Plan

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Resources:

Lown Institute Hospitals Index

Effective health care goes beyond standard check-ups and visits: after all, factors outside the exam room often have more impact than any single treatment a doctor can try. That’s why a community-based approach to health is so essential. In episode 5 of Healthy Dialogue, Ceci and guests discuss the central role social factors can play in shaping a person’s health and how health care organizations can help tackle these challenges. 

Guests:

Dr. Adaeze Enekwechi, President, Impaq International

Dr. Trenor Williams, CEO, Socially Determined

Dr. Jaewon Ryu, President and CEO, Geisinger

A concentrated focus on prevention, coordinated care and management of chronic disease can go a long way toward improving health outcomes and reducing costs. Many of these steps can be accomplished through smart investments in a robust primary care system. Prioritizing outcome-based primary care is a proactive approach to medicine that’s focused on keeping people healthy—and out of the health care system.

Guests:

Ann Greiner, President and CEO, Primary Care Collaborative

Dr. Mark Huth, President and CEO, Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin

Virginia Whitman, Alliance of Community Health Plans

Chronic conditions impact nearly 133 million Americans and account for roughly 90 percent of all health care spending in the United States. Improving how we manage and treat these conditions is key to improving affordability and quality of life across the country.

In this week's episode, Ceci dives into policy and industry reforms to improve management of chronic care — and takes a look at on-the-ground efforts to implement some of those changes. 

Guests

U.S Representative Tom Reed (NY-23), Co-Chair Problem Solver's Caucus

Joan Budden, President and CEO, Priority Health

Dr. Pat Courneya, Chief Medical Officer, HealthPartners

Joe Fifer, President and CEO, Healthcare Financial Management Association

Resources

Health Care 2030: ACHP’s Roadmap to Reform

Issue Brief: Price Transparency Certification