The 2008 Presidential Candidates' Health Reform Proposals: Choices for America

Looks at key differences in the 2008 presidential candidates' health insurance reforms and evaluates them against the Commonwealth Fund Commission on a High Performance Health System's principles. Estimates each plan's impact on the number of uninsured

Development of a tool to identify barriers and enablers to practice innovation in midwifery: A participatory action research study

Introduction: Transferring research evidence into midwifery practice is fraught with challenges and obstacles. Implementation tools can streamline the process and are most effective when they are discipline-specific; however, there are currently no midwifery specific implementation tools. The aim of this study was to develop a midwifery specific tool to identify barriers and enablers to evidence-informed practice change within the clinical setting. Methods: Participatory action research methodology was employed to ensure potential end-users contributed to content and format of the tool. Purposeful sampling ensured participants were selected from a range of midwifery practice settings in Western Australia and the United Kingdom. Data were collected through stakeholder advisory groups (SAGs) and online surveys. Results: Ten midwives participated in this project. Consultation occurred through face-to-face SAG meetings and online surveys until consensus was reached among participants about the content, format, and functionality of the end product which we called the ‘Midwifery Tool for Change’ (MT4C). Conclusions: To our knowledge, the MT4C is the first readiness for change context assessment tool specific to midwifery practice settings. Evaluation of the MT4C in realworld practice change implementation initiatives will enable further refinement of the tool

The Health Insurance Provisions of the 2009 Congressional Health Reform Bills: Implications for Coverage, Affordability, and Costs

Analyzes the House and Senate healthcare reform bills for the number of people likely to gain coverage and the implications for federal financing, families' insurance premium and out-of-pocket costs, employers, and the potential for price competition

Starting on the Path to a High Performance Health System: Analysis of Health System Reform Provisions of Reform Bills in the House of Representatives and Senate

Compares the reform bills' reform provisions, with a focus on closing the coverage gap by creating an insurance exchange of public and private plans, strengthening Medicare, and expanding Medicaid. Examines implications for the budget and coverage rates

Evidence-Based Strategies Identified to Increase Access to Oral Health Services to Promote a Healthier Lifestyle

Background: Leading Health Indicators (LHI) are a subset of Healthy People 2020 objectives, selected to communicate at- risk health issues and actions that can be taken to address them. The number of children, adolescents, and adults who visited the dentist in the past year has decreased nationally, suggesting that oral health continues to be a problem caused by barriers preventing access to oral services. Methods: Preliminary research was conducted on the LHI via the Healthy People 2020 website. Health-related peer reviewed articles were selected and reviewed. Results: Evidenced-based literature shows that economic, educational, and personal barriers prevent access to oral services. However, through health promotion and new intervention methods, good oral health can be established. Conclusions: Primary prevention leads to improved oral health status; thus, such methods can be useful in moving the LHI objective towards the Healthy People 2020 target goal

How Health Care Reform Can Lower the Costs of Insurance Administration

Examines the sources of U.S. insurance administration costs and estimates potential cost savings from the creation of a national insurance exchange to replace the individual and small-group markets as part of a public-private approach to reform

The Comprehensive Congressional Health Reform Bills of 2009: A Look at Health Insurance, Delivery System, and Financing Provisions

Provides an overview of the key provisions of the House and Senate healthcare reform bills that are essential to a high-performance health system. Compares approaches to health insurance reforms, health system reforms, and revenue sources and financing

Front and Center: Ensuring That Health Reform Puts People First

Outlines the failures of the healthcare system and the benefits of the Commonwealth Fund's comprehensive reform plan for the uninsured, the underinsured, those who cannot afford out-of-pocket costs or premiums, and others without adequate access to care