All Articles on Cost

• A ‘learning health system’ moves from idea to action

  In the United States, clinicians are struggling to provide better and more affordable health care to more people—while keeping up with new scientific developments. The idea of a “learning health system” is one proposed solution for rapidly applying the best available scientific evidence in real-time clinical practice. In the August 7 Annals of Internal Medicine, a Group Health Cooperative team describes the experience of turning this intriguing concept into action.
• Good, affordable health care for all: How long will it take?

  The decision to uphold most of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) should put our country on a straighter path toward improving access, affordability, and quality for all—imperatives in our Institute’s mission.
• What do patients really want? PCORI-funded research raises the bar

  Here at GHRI—and other similar research organizations across the U.S.—scientists are busy preparing proposals for PCORI, a federally funded nonprofit organization that the Affordable Care Act established to focus on comparative effectiveness research.
• Genetic testing may not trigger more use of health services

  People have more and more chances to participate in genetic testing that can indicate their range of risk for developing a disease. Receiving these results does not appreciably drive up—or diminish—test recipients’ demand for potentially costly follow-up health services, according to a new study in the May 17, 2012 early online issue of Genetics in Medicine.
• ‘Choosing Wisely’ initiative may be a tipping point for costs and ethics

  Health professionals and their leaders have a moral duty to ensure their patients’ safety, personally and through system improvement.
• Beyond gridlock and gloom

  Research on innovations has a compelling future
• 10 reasons why we can't ignore health care costs

  To improve health—and the quality of American life—we must stem the rising cost of care. Health care’s percentage of the U.S. gross domestic product has doubled since 1980. At this rate, by 2040, health care will consume one of every three dollars.