Modern Healthcare: Healthcare Groups Outline Ways to Attack Costs

From Modern Healthcare: The American Hospital Association told President Barack Obama that it would focus on short- and longer-term measures, as well as initiatives that require commitment from a host of other providers in order to help lower overall annual healthcare expenditures over the next 10 years.

In a 28-page letter sent to the White House and backed by five other healthcare groups, the AHA said it would immediately focus on reducing common infections from surgeries. Longer term, the association said it would encourage its members to improve how care is coordinated, use a variety of health information technology tools and boost overall efficiency. Many initiatives require the participation of providers of care both at the bedside and elsewhere.

The steps are meant to be taken in concert with a host of other groups, including America’s Health Insurance Plans, the Advanced Medical Technology Association, the Service Employees International Union, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America and the American Medical Association. In short, the groups today identified three main areas where savings can be met. Those areas are in the utilization of care, where up to $180 billion in savings are projected; chronic-care management, which could yield $850 billion in savings; and in administrative simplifications, which at the high end are predicted to save $700 billion.

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