On March 14, we convened a meeting of approximately 40 healthcare professionals in Washington, DC for an all day meeting to discuss the Better Care Plan and solicit feedback to guide us on a path toward implementation. Since that time we have convened workgroups to further develop three essential elements of the Better Care Plan: provider certification; value-based reimbursement; and patient safety & outcomes measurement and reporting. As a result of the progress in each of those areas, we are convening a second meeting on December 5, also in Washington DC.

March 14

The Better Healthcare Policy Group convened a meeting at the American College of Surgeons in Washington, DC, to catalyze discussions on the implementation of the Better Care Plan. The gathering included a diverse group of nearly 40 payers, employer coalitions, providers, patient advocates, patient safety and health quality professionals convening to discuss strategies to implement the Better Care Plan. Breakout sessions discussed key aspects of the Better Care Plan: value-based reimbursement strategies, certification and patient safety protocols and outcomes measurement and reporting. Speakers included Dr. Frank Opelka from the American College of Surgeons; Distinguished Prof. Stephen Shortell, UC Berkeley; Leah Binder, President & CEO of Leapfrog Group; Elizabeth Mitchell, President & CEO of the Purchaser Business Group on Health; Dana Safran, President & CEO of the National Quality Forum; and Margaret O’Kane, Founder & President of the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).

December 5

[TO COME]