Experts discuss long-term viability of cost containment measures in health care reform bill

Leading experts in health policy and the economics of health care gathered in Washington, D.C. today to discuss the long-term viability of cost containment measures in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, such as prevention and disease management, in an environment with increasing downward fiscal pressures.

“While the health reform law expanded coverage to 31 million more Americans, it also provides a foundation to build more effective cost controls”

"While the health reform law expanded coverage to 31 million more Americans, it also provides a foundation to build more effective cost controls," said Dr. Ken Thorpe, Executive Director of the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease. "Today chronic disease accounts for more than 75 percent of the overall health care dollar and nearly 99 percent of the resources spent in Medicare. As the country looks to reduce deficits and keep entitlement programs viable - we must focus on how we can prevent and better manage this growing epidemic."

The distinguished panel included: Dr. Ken Thorpe, Executive Director of the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease; Stan Dorn, J.D., Senior Fellow at the Urban Institute; Reid Wilson, Editor of Hotline On Call; Jenelle S. Krishnamoorthy, Ph.D., Health Policy Director for the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions; and Michelle McMurry-Heath, M.D., Ph.D., Founding Director of the Health, Biomedical Science and Society Initiative at the Aspen Institute.

The briefing highlighted several important aspects of the health care reform bill including how delivery system reforms provided in the bill have the potential to transform our health care system and save billions of dollars. It also addressed the importance of care coordination and whether the health care reform bill truly addresses the main cost drivers in the health care system and what more needs to be done.

SOURCE Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease