All Articles on Health Care

• Obesity and depression independently increase health costs

  Obesity and depression both dramatically increase health care costs, but they mainly act separately, according to a study published in the November 2011 Journal of General Internal Medicine by Group Health Research Institute scientists.
• If less is more, which health care should be cut?

  In a national survey of primary care physicians that the Archives of Internal Medicine published last month, nearly half agreed: Their own patients are getting too much care.
• Of mystery shoppers, country doctors, and a meeting with Bill Clinton

  Last month, the federal government disclosed—then quickly abandoned—a plan to unleash “mystery shoppers” on 4,000 primary care practices across the United States. The goal? To see just how many providers refuse to take new Medicare and Medicaid patients.
• From waste to value-conscious innovation: Can Group Health show the way?

  On May 11, Canadian economist Robert G. Evans, PhD, praised Group Health for our idea-driven success. But then he asked: “If Group Health has a better mousetrap, why isn’t the world beating a path to your door?”
• Total Health evaluation aims to help purchasers’ dollars go farther

  In January 2011, Group Health introduced a new "value-based" medical plan for its mid-large group market. The groundbreaking product addressed a top priority for health care purchasers: finding cost savings that don't compromise health or quality of care.
• Now’s the time: Award and endowment hail Dr. Wagner’s lifework

  Deliberations over health care’s future continue to be divisive. The U.S. Senate “super committee”—deadlocked over deficits linked largely to health care spending—has thrown in the towel. The Affordable Care Act is headed for the U.S. Supreme Court.
• Incentives studied to align care, coverage, and wellness

  The effectiveness of Total Health, a unique benefits program for Group Health Cooperative employees, is the subject of a four-year study that the federal Agency for Health Research and Quality (AHRQ) recently funded. It’s part of a trend to integrate care, insurance, and wellness programs and base them on research findings. The goal is to help people stay healthier and control health care costs.