Project Events and Materials

Upcoming Evidence-Based Health Policy Project Programs

2012 Project Events and Materials

Evidence-Based Health Policy Project Briefing
Reducing Drunk Driving in Wisconsin: What Works, What Doesn't?

April 18, 2012, 8:30-11:00am
State Capitol, Room 411 South

This policy briefing examined the data on alcohol-related crashes and fatalities and considered the evidence for various state laws, local ordinances and related policies and practices to reduce alcohol-related vehicular crashes and death. Presenters considered the policy implications of opposing groups and examined drunk driving in the context of American beliefs about alcoholism, driving, individualism, and civil liberties.

Speakers:
Barron H. Lerner, MD, PhD, Columbia University
Julia Sherman, WI Alcohol Policy Project, UW Law School
D. Paul Moberg, PhD, UW Population Health Institute
Michael L. Rothschild, PhD, Professor of Marketing (Emeritus), UW School of Business

Materials:

An Evidence-Based Health Policy Project Forum
Long-Term Care: Part I
A Two-Part Forum
Nursing Homes: What Policy and Decision Makers Need to Know Now

March 6, 2012, 8:30am to 12:30pm
Monona Terrace

Speakers:
Robyn Stone, PhD, Institute for the Future of Aging Services
Barbara Bowers, PhD, RN, FAAN, UW Madison School of Nursing
Amy Jo Haavisto Kind, MD, PhD, UWSMPH and William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital
Kim Marheine, Board on Aging and Long-Term Care
Sarah Thompson, PhD, RN, FAAN, Univ. of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing
Nathan Williams, MS, MetaStar, Inc.
Jody Rothe, RN, WCC, MetaStar, Inc.

Facilitator:
Tracy Schroepfer, PhD, UW Madison School of Social Work

This half-day policy forum explored issues related to long-term care in nursing homes, including: trends in the nursing home resident population, cost of long-term care, quality improvement of nursing homes, composition of nursing home workforce, issues of job training, transition of care from hospital to nursing home setting, consumer rights to quality of life/care, palliative care, end-of-life care quality, and the role of social workers in nursing homes.

Materials:

Evidence-Based Health Policy Project Briefing
ACO Innovators: Health System Transformation in Wisconsin

February 22, 2012, 8:30-11:00am
State Capitol, Room 411 South

This policy briefing explored health care organization models such as the Accountable Care Organization model, shared savings, and other ways of coordinating to improve quality and contain cost.

Speakers:
Jeff Thompson, Gundersen Lutheran
George Kerwin, Bellin Health
Craig Samitt, Dean Health System
Elliott Fisher, Dartmouth Medical School

Facilitator:
Jonathan Jaffery, UW School of Medicine and Public Health

Materials:

2011 Project Events and Materials

Evidence-Based Health Policy Project Briefing
Policy Innovations in Mental Health and Corrections: Wisconsin Policy and Possible Alternatives

December 15, 2011, 8:30-11:00am
State Capitol, Room 412 East

This policy briefing explored the role of legislators, administrators, other government employees, and non-profit community programs in positively affecting mental health and corrections policy, within and outside the corrections system, for reduced recidivism, lower public expenditure, and improved mental health outcomes.

Approved for 2.5 CLE credits.

Speakers:
Kristen Roman, Madison Police Department
Judge Paul J. Lenz, Eau Claire County
Cecelia Klingele, Law School, UW-Madison
Mike Koenigs, Department of Psychiatry, UW-Madison

Materials:

Evidence-Based Health Policy Project Briefing
Private Sector Employer Innovations in Health Care Financing and Delivery:
Do they translate to a broader population? Can they improve community wellness? Reduce state health expenditures?

May 25, 2011, 8:30-11:00am
State Capitol, 411 South

The cost of employer-sponsored health care is rising precipitously for most of the private sector, often ranking as the second or third highest business expense; however, Wisconsin can boast of some notable exceptions to this trend. These business success stories offer innovative models not only of how to “bend the cost curve” but of how to transform employer-sponsored health care to improve population health. John Torinus, Chairman of Serigraph and author of The Company that Solved Health Care, and George Kerwin, President and CEO of Bellin Health will speak about their businesses success reducing health care costs. Professor Tom DeLeire will serve as discussant. This briefing will identify key components of these models’ success, discuss to what degree these key components are replicable in the public sector, and identify challenges in transferring such models from the private to the public sector.

Wisconsin legislators face a current Medicaid budget shortfall of $150M ($1.8B over the biennium) and the task of implementing new federal health care reform initiatives. Confronting these challenges will require legislators to consider a broad range of policy options to reduce costs and improve the overall health of populations served through publically funded health care programs. This briefing will explore what lessons these private sector examples can offer for improving quality and reducing costs.

Speakers:
John Torinus, Chairman of Serigraph & Author of The Company that Solved Health Care
George Kerwin, President and CEO, Bellin Health

Discussant:
Tom DeLeire, Associate Professor of Public Affairs and Population Health Sciences

Materials:

Evidence-Based Health Policy Project Briefing
Public Policy and Accountable Care Organizations

February 24, 2011, 8:30-10:30am
State Capitol, 412 East

Speaker: Dr. Elliott Fisher, Dartmouth Medical School

The federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) provides incentives to create a new type of health care entity called Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) as a means to increase efficiency, reduce health expenditures, and improve patient outcomes. ACOs will assign a group of providers and hospitals responsibility for the quality, total spending, and health outcomes of a population. Their financial structure will encourage sharing information, coordinating care and avoiding unnecessary tests and procedures. This model, first defined and proposed by Dr. Elliott Fisher and colleagues, represents a significant next phase in the ongoing effort to build appropriate financial incentives into the payment system and promote value in health care.

Yet, the law’s relatively broad language on ACOs leaves many questions about their structure and implementation still unanswered. As networks form in anticipation of new guidelines, many are wondering if ACOs will be able to meet their promise of increasing quality while curbing expenditure growth. Dr. Fisher, will address these ambiguities and suggest public policy alternatives for moving forward with ACOs.

Dr. Fisher is the nation’s leading thinker on Accountable Care Organizations and is currently assisting CMS in defining regulations for implementing its Medicare program to advance this model. He is the James W. Squires, MD Professor at Dartmouth Medical School and Director for Population Health and Policy at The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice. Dr. Fisher is director of the Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care and a member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences.

Materials:

2010 Project Events and Materials

The Evidence-Based Health Policy Project: Wisconsin's Knowledge-Exchange Model

October 18-22
Keystone, Colorado

Materials:

Health Insurance Exchanges: Goals, Options, and Considerations for Wisconsin

(a follow-up to the EBHPP Spring Symposium on implementing federal health care reform)
May 27, 2010, 9:00-11:00
State Capitol, 411 South

The federal health care reform law – the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, - requires states to establish health insurance Exchanges by January 2013. Exchanges are intended to create a more organized and competitive market for health insurance by offering a choice of health plans, establishing common rules regarding the offering and pricing of insurance, and providing information to help consumers better understand the options available to them.
States have some key decisions to make as they design their Exchanges. What will these choices mean for Wisconsin?

A video conference with:
Rick Curtis, President
Institute for Health Policy Solutions

Materials:

Federal Health Care Legislation: What Do Wisconsin Policymakers Do Now?

Monday, April 12, 1:00-4:00 pm
Inn on the Park, Capitol Square, 22 South Carroll Street

What does federal health reform mean for Wisconsin? What challenges will state health officials – and legislators – face as the result of federal action and what next steps are needed?

Approved for 3.5 CLE credits

Moderator: David Kindig, Emeritus Professor, UW School of Medicine and Public Health

Speakers:
Joy Johnson Wilson, National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL)
Andy Webber, National Business Coalition on Health
Kathy Witgert, National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP)

Update on Wisconsin’s Implementation Plans from
Karen Timberlake, Secretary, Wisconsin Department of Health Services

Responses from:
David Newby, President, Wisconsin AFL-CIO
Patricia McManus, President/CEO, Black Health Coalition of Wisconsin
Larry Zanoni, Executive Director, Group Health Cooperative of South-Central Wisconsin

Reception Following with remarks from
Senator Jon Erpenbach and Representative Kitty Rhoades

Materials:

Evidence-Based Health Policy Project Briefing

Scope of Practice: Who Should Do What to Assure High Quality, Efficient Health Care . . . And How Can States Decide?
March 3, 2010, 8:30-11:00am
State Capitol, 412 East

Recently, most states have demonstrated elevated interest in the potential to expand the scope of practice for a wide variety of skilled health care professionals -- nurse practitioners, physician assistants, psychologists, dental hygienists, pharmacists, physical therapists, optometrists and others.

Advocates argue that practitioners working at the “top of their license” provide high quality, cost-effective care, and increase access to care, especially for vulnerable populations. Opponents question whether the education and training is sufficient for the expanded practice demands. Too often, these debates devolve into turf battles, leaving legislators and the public without adequate information. Could an improved scope of practice decision-making process assist in promoting and maintaining an effective, high quality health care workforce in Wisconsin that can meet growing population needs along with the demands of an evolving health care delivery system?
This briefing examined

Speakers:

Materials:

Evidence-Based Health Policy Project Briefing

Accountable Care Organizations: New Model for Health Care Payment and Delivery
How will they work? Can they promote quality and reduce costs?
February 25, 2010, 9:00-10:30am
State Capitol, 412 East

Speaker: Dr. Elliott Fisher, Dartmouth Medical School

Among the debates on the nature of health care reform, one area of relative consensus has emerged: a need to move away from traditional fee-for-service payment methods to models that support well coordinated, high quality, cost efficient care. Regardless of the outcome of federal health reform, Medicare plans to launch pilot projects to demonstrate the potential of alternative models for payment and delivery of health care. The Accountable Care Organization (ACOs) is one such model.

The ACO model, first defined and proposed by Dr. Elliott Fisher and colleagues, entails holding a group of providers and hospitals responsible for the quality, total spending, and health outcomes of a population of Medicare beneficiaries. Bonuses and penalties could be tied to overall Medicare spending and quality measures. ACOs represent a significant next phase in the ongoing effort to build appropriate financial incentives into the payment system and promote value in health care.

Dr. Elliott Fisher is one of the nation’s leading authorities on ACOs and has been closely involved in the development of the pilot protocols. Dr. Fisher discussed the principles and key design features of ACOs, the variety of organizational models, and the challenges and opportunities to implementing ACOs in Wisconsin and nationally.

2009 Project Events and Materials

Evidence-Based Health Policy Project Breakfast Briefing

"Health Care Quality, Effectiveness, and Value: How Might State of Wisconsin Investments Pay Off?"
October 8, 2009, 8:30-11:00 am
State Capitol, Room 411 South

The speakers at this briefing discussed how the State is using data to improve quality and efficiency and how these major investments position Wisconsin for the next chapter in health care reform. Christopher Queram, CEO of the Wisconsin Collaborative for Health Care Quality, moderated the discussion. Speakers included Julie Bartels of the WI Health Information Organization (WHIO), Lisa Ellinger of the Department of Employee Trust Funds (DETF), and Jonathan Jaffery, Chief Medical Director of Medicaid and BadgerCare Programs. The State is a major direct purchaser of health care services, through Medicaid/BadgerCare and insurance coverage for state employees, giving it enormous leverage to steer the market toward value-based benefit designs and effective service delivery. The State also contributes to the innovative WHIO data warehouse aimed toward advancing quality and value.

Evidence-based Health Policy Project Breakfast Symposium

Medical Homes and Retail Clinics: Complementary Care or Conceptual Clash?
April 7, 2009, 9:00-11:00 am
State Capitol, 412 East

With presenters Barbara Starfield, MD, MPH, Professor, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; Lowell Keppel, MD, CPE, FAADP, FACPE, Chairman of the Board and Immediate Past President, Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians; Ken Berndt, Director of Business Development, Bellin Hospital, Fast Care Program

This Symposium considered the potential of these two recent trends in primary health care - medical homes and retail-based clinics - and their role within Wisconsin's health care system, highlighting practitioner and research perspectives. Dr. Barbara Starfield, of Johns Hopkins University, presented evidence regarding the importance of comprehensive primary care in achieving better health outcomes and greater equity in health. She reviewed the key principles of the patient-centered medical home (PCMH) model, and the definitions and measurements of these principles that create tension in the medical home community. Dr. Lowell Keppel, immediate past president of the Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians, highlighted the status of patient-centered medical homes in Wisconsin and the process for obtaining third-party recognition of PCMHs. Mr. Ken Berndt, of Bellin Health, described the implementation of the FastCare retail-based clinics around the state. He emphasized the high demand for FastCare services and the importance of connecting clinic patients to primary care and local health networks. Mr. Jason Helgerson, the Medicaid Director at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, served as a reactor and mentinoed the state's efforts to balance support of the patient-centered medical home framework with the need for specialists to treat chronic illnesses. Participants in the dynamic question and answer session covered a range of topics, including the role of health information technology, varying philosophies and models of retail-based clinics, and the use of evidence-based medicine.

An Evidence-Based Health Policy Project Briefing

Google's Gaps: The Art of Policy Research on the Internet
March 3, 2009, 3:00-4:30 pm
State Capitol, Room 400 SE

In this interactive session, Dr. Catherine Arnott Smith and Dr. Greg Downey examined the utility of Internet searches using sample questions from legislative service agencies and legislators. They discussed the mechanics behind search engine queries, such as the ranking of search results produced by a search, and the subsequent limitations for health policy research. Search engines such as Google access only about half of all available web pages. In their current form, theses search engines do not reach the 'invisible' or 'deep' web, composed of publicly available, but difficult to locate, databases and government documents. The speakers recommended that policy analysts expand searches to multiple search engines, narrow searches using specific search terminology (see Quick Tips below), and supplement searches with publicly available research databases such as Badgerlink.

Evidence-Based Health Policy Project Breakfast Briefing with Dr. Elliott Fisher

"Accountable Care Organizations: A Path Forward to Quality and Savings"
February 19, 2009, 9:00-10:30 am
State Capitol, 412 East

Dr. Fisher is Professor of Medicine and Community and Family Medicine at Dartmouth Medical School and Director of the Center for Health Policy Research in the Dartmouth Institute for Health Care Policy and Clinical Practice. In his third legislative briefing through the Evidence-Based Health Policy Project, Dr. Fisher highlighted the association between high health care spending and low quality health care delivery. He called this the "paradox of plenty," where regions with high per capita Medicare spending have poor health outcomes and quality in comparison to lower-spending regions. He proposed addressing this paradox through an "Accountable Care Organization" model, which promotes organizational accountability for local delivery systems through performance measures and shared savings payment reform. Dr. Fisher touted the feasibility of the model, which operates within existing physician-hospital networks. He concluded his presentation by recommending interim steps for attaining organizational accountability for local systems.

Evidence-Based Health Policy Project Briefing

"Rx for RNs: Addressing the Nursing Shortage"
January 8, 2009, 9:00-10:30 am
State Capitol, 411 South

This Briefing provided an opportunity to learn from state and national experts regarding the causes and implications of the nursing shortage, as well as successful state initiatives to recruit, retain and advance nurses. The University of Wisconsin School of Nursing co-sponsored the session, and Dean Katharyn May introduced the speakers and participated in the question and answer session. Janet Allan, Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing, provided a national perspective on the nursing crisis and presented her research on the causes and implications of the faculty shortage in nursing schools. She also described several successful state-level efforts and public-private partnerships focused on the faculty shortage. Judy Warmuth, Vice President for Workforce Development at Wisconsin Hospital Association, reviewed the state of nursing in Wisconsin, including the challenges in measuring Wisconsin's healthcare workforce needs. She highlighted WHA's work to advance the educational levels of the nursing workforce, as well as regional partnerships that unite technical colleges, workforce investment boards, nonprofit organizations and health-care providers to create leadership and advancement opportunities for nurses. Senator Judy Robson, herself a nurse, provided a brief reaction to the speakers' remarks and reviewed legislative initiatives related to the nursing shortage that focus on retention and safety regulations. During the question and answer session, the panel covered the nursing shortage in the context of health care reform, the role of technology in nursing education and practice, and the need for additional clinical experiences for nursing students.

2008 Project Events and Materials

Evidence-Based Health Policy Project Briefing

"Sobering News: How We Can Reduce Wisconsin's Top-Ranked Drinking Problem"
May 6, 2008, 10:00 am to noon
State Capitol, 411 South

The Public Health Council appointed by Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle identified risky and problem drinking as one of the three top public health issues in the state. At this briefing, Paul Moberg presented new evidence about how Wisconsin leads the nation in binge drinking, alcohol abuse, and impaired driving. He also presented research about the incidence and societal costs of alcohol abuse in the state. Richard L. Brown, of the Wisconsin Initiative to Promote Healthy Lifestyles, described innovative screening, prevention and treatment strategies currently being implemented among health care providers in primary care clinics throughout the state. Carolyn Heinrich, of the La Follette School of Public Affairs, presented research on the promise of pharmaceutical interventions for improving substance abuse treatment and health outcomes, and the policy options around adopting those treatments. The three also suggested a number of public policies that could be pursued to combat Wisconsin's top-ranked drinking problem.

UW La Follette Spring 2008 Symposium

"Health Care Payment Reform and Pay-for-Performance in Wisconsin: How to Promote System Transformation (and What Not to Do)"
April 29, 2008, 1:00-4:30 pm
Monona Terrace Convention Center

The Symposium provided an opportunity for researchers, policymakers and health care practitioners to address the challenges in aligning incentives with the goals of quality improvement and cost-containment as we move toward a value-driven health care system. The keynote speaker, Gwyn Bevan, provided examples of health care performance measurement in England, taken from serving on various government advisory committees and his research on performance measurement and devolution. Bevan discussed the results of the star rating system and other quality improvement initiatives and addressed the unintended consequences of payment reform in England. The first panel of health care practitioners then reviewed current and emerging efforts to reform health care payment systems in Wisconsin, including pay-for-performance initiatives at the Marshfield Clinic, at the Medical College of Wisconsin, and in Wisconsin Medicaid. The second panel of academic experts from the UW covered lessons learned from evaluations of pay-for-performance (P4P) in education, cash-assistance, and workforce development programs.

Evidence-Based Health Policy Project Breakfast Briefing

"A Pathway toward Health Care Reform: Exploring Spending, Supply and Health Outcomes"
February 26, 2008, 9:00-10:30 am
State Capitol, 300 SE

In his second legislative briefing through the Evidence-Based Health Policy Project, Dr. Elliot Fisher highlighted the interaction among quality of health care, supply of health services, and health care spending. He described how the local organizational context and policy environment drives each of these factors. Dr. Fisher also explained why "more is not better" in the supply and specialization of health care services, due to the increased risk of mistakes occurring as health care becomes more complicated. Dr. Fisher also touched on the policy implications of his research. He recommended addressing these issues by fostering local accountability organizations, providing better information on health care benefits and risks to patients, and implementing reforms to the payment system to avoid simply rewarding more care and capacity.

Evidence-Based Health Policy Project Breakfast Briefing

"Public Health Preparedness: Progress and Challenges for State Policy"
January 10, 2008

This briefing provided an opportunity to learn from local and national experts in public health preparedness, who highlighted research findings and successful initiatives, as well as on-going policy challenges. Dr. Kristine Gebbie, Director of the Center for Health Policy at the Columbia University School of Nursing, provided an overview of national issues in public health preparedness, and also described her research findings from evaluations of clinical workforce training and a recent study on legal issues in preparedness. During her career, Dr. Gebbie served as the National AIDS Policy Coordinator and held cabinet-level positions in health administration in Washington and Oregon. In addition, two other speakers highlighted several Wisconsin initiatives in public health preparedness. Bill Bazan, from the Wisconsin Hospital Association, reviewed his organization's efforts in workforce training and education. Lisa Pentony, from the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services, discussed lessons from successful preparedness efforts, based on her experience with the Pandemic Influenza Program.

2007 Project Events and Materials

Evidence-Based Health Policy Project Symposium

"Health Care Purchasing and Utilization Decisions: Challenges Facing Consumers and Employers"
October 3rd, 2007

The Evidence-Based Health Policy Project Symposium focused on the roles of consumers and employers in the current healthcare decision-making environment. Dr. Judith Hibbard highlighted the dynamics of consumer decision making, including the role of consumer motivation and activation, and its role in the patient's management of health. Dr. Hibbard's presentation focused on the need to understand how activated and equipped consumers are to be effective decision-makers; and furthermore, the importance of tailoring information to consumers so that it is both effective and meaningful in promoting activation. Presenter François de Brantes focused on the role of employers in the healthcare market, and the impact employer decisions can have upon consumer action. Key highlights of de Brantes' presentation included an overview of the impact employers have had historically on healthcare reform, and an overview of the routes by employers can impact consumer decision-making. Presenter Christopher Queram elaborated upon current national and state movements toward a more value-driven decision making environment in healthcare, and the current state of quality and cost measurement. Mr. Queram provided an overview of the tools currently available in Wisconsin to access information regarding healthcare value, and the current successes of, and challenges faced by Wisconsin regarding quality measurement.

Breakfast Briefing with Dr. Joel Cantor, Mr. Douglas McCarthy, and Dr. Patrick Remington

State Health Scorecard Forum
Tuesday, July 17, 2007

The State Health Scorecard Forum revealed the results of two independently conducted examinations of health in Wisconsin. Dr. Remington, director of the UW Population Health Institute, discussed the UW Population Health Institute's Health of Wisconsin Report Card. Dr. Remington described the health outcomes and disparities across gender, geography, socioeconomic status, race, and ethnicity. Dr. Joel Cantor of Rutgers University and Mr. Douglas McCarthy of The Commonwealth Fund presented the results from the nationwide report Aiming Higher: State Scorecard on Health System Performance. Dr. Cantor and Mr. McCarthy explained Wisconsin's ranking within the top quartile of states, and highlighted areas for improvement. There were over 40 people in attendance, including legislators, legislative and agency staff, private sector representatives, and university faculty.

Breakfast Briefing with Dr. Murray Katcher, Dr. Sheri Johnson, and Dr. Teresa Johnson

Infant Mortality Rates in Wisconsin
Wednesday, June 20th, 2007

This breakfast briefing centered on infant mortality rates in Wisconsin. The presentations included information on racial and ethnic disparities in birth outcomes as well as geographic differences in infant mortality rates. Dr. Murray Katcher and Dr. Sheri Johnson, both of the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services, provided information on birth rates in Wisconsin, possible underlying determinants of racial and ethnic disparities, and evidence-based interventions. Dr. Teresa Johnson, associate professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, highlighted the work being done within Racine to improve birth outcomes, including the partnerships formed, funding received, and the goals of the work. Over 30 people, including legislators, legislative staff, state agency staff, and university faculty were in attendance for this breakfast briefing.

Roundtable Discussion with Senator David Durenberger

Policy and Politics: The Road to Value in Our Systems
Friday, May 18th, 2007

This Friday morning roundtable discussion with former U.S. Senator David Durenberger highlighted our current health system, the responsibilities of both the state and federal government in the health care arena, and the role that politics has played in healthcare reform. Senator Durenberger discussed his current work with the National Institute of Health Policy, as well as his past experiences as a U.S. Senator from Minnesota. Over 20 people, including Legislators, their staff, university staff, and state agency employees, attended the roundtable discussion.

Breakfast Briefing with Dr. Jonathan Temte

The HPV Vaccine: HPV Background and Risk Factors & Vaccine Performance Data and Policy Issues
Thursday, March 29th, 2007

Dr. Jonathan Temte, Associate Professor of Family Medicine at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health, began the breakfast briefing with background information on the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and its connection with cervical cancer cases. Dr. Temte also discussed the vaccine that has been developed to treat certain strains of the HPV virus, including the costs per vaccine dose and other medical costs associated with HPV. Additionally, Dr. Temte discussed policy issues around the HPV vaccine, including the mechanics, safety issues, costs, supply, considerations for health systems, ethics, and the public perception. Fifty people attended the breakfast briefing with Dr. Temte to learn more about the HPV vaccine and any policy implications.

Videoconference Briefing

Governor Schwarzenegger's Healthcare Reform Plan for California and President Bush's Healthcare Reform Proposals
Monday, March 26th, 2007

This Monday videoconference briefing involved Alan Weil, Executive Director of the National Academy for State Health Policy and Dr. Paul Fronstin, Senior Research Associate at the Employee Benefit Research Institute. Mr. Weil highlighted the recent California healthcare reform plan proposed by Governor Schwarzenegger. Dr. Fronstin discussed President Bush’s recent tax-related healthcare reform proposals in comparison with the current tax incentives provided for healthcare purchasing. Nearly 40 people were in attendance to take note of recent healthcare proposals at the state and national levels and to pose questions to the speakers on how those proposals’ provisions could affect or be used in Wisconsin.

Breakfast Discussion with Dr. Elliot Fisher

The Relationship among Healthcare Spending, the Supply of Health Services, Quality & Outcomes
Monday, February 26th, 2007

This Monday morning breakfast discussion with Dr. Elliot Fisher highlighted the interaction among quality of health care, supply of health services, and health care spending. Dr. Fisher discussed the evidence on what causes differences in spending and quality, including how this has implications for both policy and practice. Dr. Fisher talked about his work, which has looked at the differences in per capita Medicare spending across regions that are independent of both local medical prices and underlying illness levels. About 30 people, including Legislators, their staff, State agency employees, and University faculty were in attendance to listen to the presentation as well as discuss relevant questions they had surrounding Dr. Fisher’s findings.