RWJF - Publications & Research - Publications by Topic - Health Reform

Nov 20, 2009 - Massachusetts Health Reform Implementation

webmail@rwjf.org — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST

The Massachusetts reform rolls on, meeting major milestones, confronting challenges, both anticipated and unanticipated, and offering valuable and important lessons for the nation

Nov 19, 2009 - Developing Insights into Disparities

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:21:00 EST

Harold Amos Scholar Lisa Cooper was named a 2007 MacArthur Fellow. Cooper works on improving the quality of medical care for minorities in the United States by analyzing and developing new approaches to patient-physician communication.

Nov 19, 2009 - Monitoring Massachusetts Reform Efforts

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:09:00 EST

April 2006 marked the beginning of landmark health reform in this state. We've tracked the impact on coverage and costs, and surveyed doctors and employers for their views on how it's been working.

Nov 18, 2009 - Health Information Technology in the United States, 2009

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:30:00 EST

Although electronic medical records have the potential to revolutionize the delivery of health care, this survey finds that less than 2 percent of general acute-care hospitals have comprehensive systems.

Nov 18, 2009 - A State Policymaker's Guide to Federal Health Reform

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:43:00 EST

This series explores the most pressing health policy issues states are currently addressing and identifies what support they may need to implement federal health reform.

Nov 17, 2009 - RWJF Launches Commission to Build a Healthier America

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:52:00 EST

The nonpartisan commission will will investigate how factors such as education, environment, income and housing shape and affect personal behavioral choices.

Nov 17, 2009 - Commission Seeks Ways to Foster Better Health Outcomes and Improve the Health of All Americans

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:47:00 EST

A range of social factors is keeping this country from being as healthy as it should be and hurting our nation's economy, according to a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation-supported report.

Nov 17, 2009 - Overcoming Obstacles to Health

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:45:00 EST

This report outlines in stark detail how a person's health and the likelihood of becoming sick and dying prematurely are greatly influenced by powerful social factors, such as levels of education, income and the quality of neighborhood environments.

Nov 17, 2009 - Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Launches Commission to Look Beyond Medical Care System to Improve the Health of All Americans

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:42:00 EST

Foundation issues new report which finds poor, minority and middle-class Americans with less education live sicker and die younger; new opinion poll finds strong public support for action.

Nov 17, 2009 - Massachusetts Health Reform: Employer Coverage From Employees' Perspective

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:39:00 EST

Access to coverage has grown—even as some workers in small firms have faced higher contributions to premiums.

Nov 16, 2009 - Are We There Yet?

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:09:00 EST

On November 9, 2009, Foundation President and CEO Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, M.D., M.B.A., delivered the lunchtime keynote address before the National Business Coalition on Health 14th annual conference in Phoenix, Ariz. The subject of her address was: "High-quality,...

Nov 16, 2009 - Poll Finds Americans Think Disease Prevention Central to Health Reform

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:58:00 EST

Nearly two-thirds rank prevention investments as important.

Nov 14, 2009 - "Better Ways to Pay for Health Care" Recommended by National Health Care Quality Coalition

webmail@rwjf.org — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

This report provides an easy-to-understand explanation of the problems with current health care payment systems, and describes alternative payment systems that will address these problems. It demonstrates that rationing and price controls are not the only ways to...

Nov 13, 2009 - America's Health Starts With Healthy Children

webmail@rwjf.org — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:10:00 EST

This chartbook from the RWJF Commission to Build a Healthier America focuses on the health of children across the United States.

Nov 12, 2009 - Public Health Insurance Plan

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

This brief lays out who could enroll, who could receive subsidies and the anticipated impact on health insurance premiums, in addition to exploring the arguments for and against a public plan.

Nov 12, 2009 - Progress Enrolling Children in Medicaid/CHIP

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

Issue brief identifies potential for enrolling more children under public programs.

Nov 11, 2009 - The Secrets of Massachusetts' Success

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

Less than two years after state health reform was enacted, 97 percent of residents had health coverage - the highest proportion in America. This report finds that outreach and enrollment strategies were instrumental to that success.

Nov 9, 2009 - RWJF Podcasts at APHA 2009

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

The Foundation Public Health team provides audio coverage from the American Public Health Association conference in Philadelphia.

Nov 5, 2009 - Individual Insurance

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

This study examines strategies that insurers have used to attract younger, healthy consumers in the individual market, and how those are likely to change under health reform.

Nov 5, 2009 - Health Insurers Pursue Growth Potential of Individual Market

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

Insurers are pursuing strategies to tap the growth potential of the individual health insurance market, including entering less-regulated markets and developing lower-cost, less-comprehensive products targeting younger, healthy consumers, according to a study...

Nov 4, 2009 - Health System Reform and Antitrust Law

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

This policy brief addresses antitrust considerations that arise in health system transformation aimed at producing greater clinical integration and greater levels of information about the quality and cost of care.

Nov 2, 2009 - Geographic Variation and Health Care Cost Growth

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

As policymakers consider measures to contain health care costs, this brief examines what is driving that spiral and the policy levers that might control it, such as the approval process required for new facilities.

Nov 2, 2009 - RWJF's Synthesis Project Provides Policy-Makers With User-Friendly Research and Policy Briefs on Perennial Health Policy Issues

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

The Synthesis Project is an initiative of RWJF to produce user-friendly briefs that synthesize research findings on perennial health policy issues.

Oct 29, 2009 - Can Accountable Care Organizations Improve the Value of Health Care by Solving the Cost and Quality Quandaries?

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EDT

Researchers from the Urban Institute look at the opportunities and challenges of accountable-care organizations, and conclude they will not be game changers in the short run.

Oct 28, 2009 - Health Care Fraud

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EDT

This analysis finds that fraud poses a major challenge in both the private and public insurance sectors and recommends policies aimed at assuring uniform and transparent measurement and reporting of fraud across all forms of coverage.

Oct 28, 2009 - Health Insurance Fraud: An Overview

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EDT

In 2007, the U.S. spent nearly $2.3 trillion on health care and public and private insurers processed more than 4 billion health insurance claims. The National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association (NHCAA) has estimated that, conservatively, 3% of all health care...

Oct 26, 2009 - Hospitals That Care for Poor Patients Face Digital Divide Without Federal Help

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:30:00 EDT

Hospitals that serve a disproportionately large share of poor patients are lagging behind other hospitals in adopting electronic health records, leading to a digital divide that could exacerbate health care disparities, researchers report.

Oct 26, 2009 - Evidence of an Emerging Digital Divide Among Hospitals That Care for the Poor

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EDT

Some hospitals that disproportionately care for poor patients are falling behind in adopting electronic health records (EHRs). A central policy question is whether health information technology investments prompted by the 2009 federal stimulus...

Oct 23, 2009 - Could Health Courts Provide An Answer on Malpractice Reform?

webmail@rwjf.org — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

One proposal receiving increasing attention is the creation of a system of specialized health courts, which would apply rational, consistent standards to resolving medical liability claims and compensating injured patients.

Oct 22, 2009 - Insurance Reform: Leveling the Playing Field?

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

How different proposals stack up in terms of broadening coverage for individuals and small businesses, and their potential impact on the country.

Oct 21, 2009 - Physicians' Views of the Massachusetts Health Care Reform Law - A Poll

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:01:00 EDT

Three years after Massachusetts enacted its health insurance reform law, the state boasts the lowest rate of uninsurance nationwide. Yet, the model is still surrounded by public controversy, especially as the nation explores health reform. This article gathers...

Oct 21, 2009 - Three-Fourths of Massachusetts Physicians Support Continuing State's Health Reform Law

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EDT

A study published the New England Journal of Medicine finds that a large majority of practicing physicians in Massachusetts support health reform three years after its passage in 2006.

Oct 20, 2009 - The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Care Consumer Confidence Index: September 2009

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The RWJF Index rose 0.5 points in September to 96.6, from 96.1 in August.

Oct 20, 2009 - Spotlight on Advance Directives

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

What’s At StakeFour out of five Americans say they would choose to spend their final days and months at home, yet an overwhelming majority die in institutions, primarily in hospitals and nursing homes.Part of the explanation...

Oct 16, 2009 - The Vermont Experience

webmail@rwjf.org — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EDT

How two states extended insurance coverage to more residents, and what others could learn from their experience.

Oct 16, 2009 - Wisconsin's BadgerCare Plus Coverage Expansion and Simplification

webmail@rwjf.org — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EDT

Having reached maximum enrollment levels just three months after its launch, Wisconsin’s BadgerCare Plus is receiving increased attention from health reformers around the country. The state was recently forced to cap enrollment for childless adults in its...

Oct 15, 2009 - Report Confirms Smoking Bans Prevent Heart Attacks

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EDT

IOM report confirms evidence that exposure to secondhand smoke increases the risk of heart disease.

Oct 7, 2009 - Age Rating Under Comprehensive Health Care Reform

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EDT

Consumers aged 55 to 64 who buy insurance on the individual market could pay nearly 50% more in premiums under the Senate Finance Committee bill, compared with other versions pending in Congress, according to this analysis.

Oct 6, 2009 - Follow the Money: Controlling Expenditures by Improving Care for Patients Needing Costly Services

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EDT

As Congress debates how to reform America’s health care system–in particular, how to pay for it–many policy experts are bringing care management into the discussion as a way to rein in costs.

Oct 6, 2009 - Cell Phones Give Researchers a Window on Young Mothers' Parenting Practices - Leads to NIH Funded Study

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Researchers at the University of Notre Dame conducted two pilot studies on the use of cell phones to gather detailed information about predictors of early child neglect among adolescent and adult mothers.

Sep 30, 2009 - PROMETHEUS Payment Reform Quarterly Newsletter, Issue 4

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:00:00 EDT

This issue includes updates on several new and informative products are available from the program.

Sep 30, 2009 - The Cost of Failure to Enact Health Reform

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EDT

Out-of-pocket health care costs could increase by more than 35 percent in every state by 2019, if the system remains unchanged.

Sep 30, 2009 - Out-of-Pocket Health Care Costs Could Increase More Than 35 Percent in Every State by 2019

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EDT

As policymakers continue to debate comprehensive reform of the nation’s health care system, a new report commissioned by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) projects that if federal reform efforts are not enacted, the cost of failure would be...

Sep 29, 2009 - Coverage: Mapping Health Care Coverage in 2019

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EDT

If we don't reform the health system, up to 66 million could be uninsured by 2019 and health care costs will continue to rise. The color of the state indicates the percent increase in individual and family spending on health care from now to 2019.

Sep 29, 2009 - Should Americans Be Mandated to Carry Health Insurance?

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EDT

New policy brief explores the debate over requiring individuals to have insurance and penalizing them if they don't.

Sep 28, 2009 - Using Information from Income Tax Forms to Target Medicaid and CHIP Outreach

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EDT

Issue brief explores outreach effort under Maryland’s Kids First Act and identifies lessons learned for other states.

Sep 24, 2009 - Emergency Department Visits in Massachusetts

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EDT

Survey shows users of emergency rooms have trouble accessing care in other settings, and frequent users of emergency rooms are a sicker, more disabled, and more chronically ill population than other adults in the state.

Sep 23, 2009 - Spotlight on Payment Reform

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EDT

The way we pay for health care has consequences for quality and cost.

Sep 22, 2009 - Doctors Need a Say on Health Insurance

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EDT

Philadelphia Inquirer posts op-ed by Risa Lavizzo-Mourey and William L. Roper on survey of doctors' views on health care.

Sep 22, 2009 - Comparing Federal Government Surveys that Count Uninsured People in America

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EDT

Latest brief explains new federal estimates of uninsured at the local level, identified by Census’ American Community Survey.

Sep 18, 2009 - Goals for Payment Reform

webmail@rwjf.org — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EDT

This slide is from the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform's report, "How to Create Accountable Care Organizations" (September 2009).

Sep 17, 2009 - Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Statement on Announcement of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act's Prevention and Wellness Fund

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A statement by RWJF's president on the federal government's new prevention fund and initiative.

Sep 15, 2009 - The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Care Consumer Confidence Index: August 2009

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

What are Americans most afraid of when it comes to health care? How many are delaying the care they need? Are consumers confident or worried about the future?

Sep 14, 2009 - Doctors on Coverage—Physicians’ Views on a New Public Insurance Option and Medicare Expansion

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 17:01:00 EDT

Physician groups and societies often have clear, well-known views on health refor,; therefore, the views of physicians in general are not always understood. This article describes a national survey of physicians' views regarding health reform, showing a majority of...

Sep 14, 2009 - Physician Views on the Public Health Insurance Option and Medicare Expansions

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 17:01:00 EDT

This survey, which was published by the New England Journal of Medicine, shows 'striking' consistency of physician support, across every locale and demographic, for reform proposals that include both private and public insurance options.

Sep 14, 2009 - Majority of Physicians Support Health Reform that Includes Both Public and Private Insurance Options

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EDT

A Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) study published in today's New England Journal of Medicine shows that a majority of physicians (63%) support a health reform proposal that includes both a public option and traditional private insurance. If the...

Sep 14, 2009 - Physician Views on the Public Health Insurance Option and Medicare Expansions Slideshow

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EDT

Key findings from the RWJF survey of physician views on the public health insurance option and Medicare expansions.

Sep 14, 2009 - Characteristics of Physician Respondents vs. Non Respondents

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EDT

This slide shows respondents were less likely to be female (26.8% vs. 31.2%, p<0.001) and were older on average by one year. There were no significant differences by practice location (census division or urban vs. rural setting), practice type and specialty...

Sep 14, 2009 - Physician Support for Coverage Expansion Options

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EDT

This slide shows that overall, a majority of physicians (62.9%) supported the public-private option while 27.3% supported a private-only coverage options and 9.6% supported a public-only coverage option.

Sep 14, 2009 - Support for Allowing Adults Ages 55 to 64 to Buy into the Current Medicare Program

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EDT

Overall 58.3 percent of physicians support Medicare expansions to individuals 55 to 64 years of age. (September 2009).

Sep 14, 2009 - Physician Views on Coverage Expansion Proposals, by Professional and Practice Characteristics

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EDT

This slide shows support for the inclusion of a public option was demonstrated across all demographic characteristics, specialties, practice locations (census division or urban vs. rural setting) and practice types. Primary care providers were the most likely to...

Sep 14, 2009 - Physician Views on which Insurance Performs Better: Private Insurance or Traditional Medicare*

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EDT

This slide shows that despite support for Medicare expansions and for a public option similar in design to Medicare, physicians preferred private plans to the traditional Medicare program in three areas.The majority of physicians (62%) prefer private plans to...

Sep 14, 2009 - Physician Views on the Public Health Insurance Option and Medicare Expansions Introduction

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EDT

Physician Views on the Public Health Insurance Option and Medicare Expansions, title slide

Sep 11, 2009 - Synergy Workshop Participants at the Center of the Reform Debate

webmail@rwjf.org — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EDT

Fellows and Scholars get a crash course in policy negotiation as the final health care reform proposals take shape.

Sep 10, 2009 - Health Reform in Massachusetts: An Update on Insurance Coverage and Support for Reform as of Fall 2008

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EDT

Health reform in Massachusetts has achieved nearly universal coverage—leaving the number of uninsured working-age adults at just 4 percent, well below the 20 percent uninsurance rate nationally for 18- to 64-year-olds. At the same time, Massachusetts’...

Sep 10, 2009 - Quality-Based Payment for Medical Groups and Individual Physicians

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

This survey on quality-based payment found that the prevalence of external performance bonuses paid by insurers to large medical groups is larger than the prevalence of performance bonuses paid by the medical groups to the primary care and specialist physicians.

Sep 10, 2009 - Improving Chronic Illness Care

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The use of organized chronic illness care management processes (CMPs) is discussed in this article.

Sep 9, 2009 - Education Matters for Health

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 13:30:00 EDT

This issue brief, prepared by the RWJF Commission to Build a Healthier America, examines why, across America and generations, people with more education live longer and experience better health outcomes.

Sep 6, 2009 - Something Must Be Done

webmail@rwjf.org — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EDT

For too many Americans, the health care status quo is a ‘mess,’ write RWJF Chairman Thomas H. Kean and President Risa Lavizzo-Mourey. But they argue that “compromise and consensus" on reform "are not only possible, but also achievable.”

Sep 4, 2009 - Webcast: The Next 100 Days

webmail@rwjf.org — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EDT

In this webcast, five health policy experts discuss key issues facing the president as he seeks meaningful health reform this year.

Sep 4, 2009 - New Report from the IOM Recommends More Detailed Categories for Race, Ethnicity and English-Language Proficiency Data

webmail@rwjf.org — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A report from the IOM recommends HHS develop nationally standardized lists for granular ethnicity categories and spoken and written languages.

Sep 4, 2009 - What are Prometheus Payment Evidence-Informed Case Rates?

webmail@rwjf.org — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

This brief explains Evidence-informed Case Rates (ECRs), the core element of the PROMETHEUS Payment model.

Sep 3, 2009 - A Snapshot of U.S. Physicians: Key Findings From the 2008 Health Tracking Physician Survey

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

According to this brief, almost 75 percent of physicians were accepting all or most new Medicare patients and slightly fewer than six in 10 physicians provided charity care in 2008.

Sep 1, 2009 - Health Care Policy Experts Release Steps for Containing Costs and Improving Value in Health Care

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EDT

With the President, members of Congress and key stakeholders seeking aggressive reforms to slow spending growth while improving value, a group of 10 health care policy experts today released a set of concrete, feasible steps that could achieve this goal. The plan,...

Sep 1, 2009 - Poverty's High Cost to Health

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

This report describes many of the social and economic factors which have been found to influence health, and recommends policies that have the potential to make Americans healthier.

Aug 31, 2009 - Bending the Curve: Effective Steps to Address Long-Term Health Care Spending Growth

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EDT

A bipartisan group of scholars and policy-makers suggest ways to reduce health-care costs and improve quality of care.

Aug 27, 2009 - How Will the Uninsured Be Affected by Health Reform?

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EDT

Briefs look at the number of uninsured who could be covered under a reformed health care system.

Aug 24, 2009 - The Role of Federal Government in Health Care

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EDT

Health Affairs and RWJF explore the debate over advance-care planning, controlling Medicare spending and the government’s role in health care.

Aug 21, 2009 - Post Claims Underwriting and Rescission Practices

webmail@rwjf.org — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EDT

This case study examines the current state of post-claims underwriting and rescissions regulation in Texas.

Aug 20, 2009 - How Does the Quality of U.S. Health Care Compare Internationally?

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EDT

This analysis from the Urban Institute looks at the evidence on how quality of care in the United States compares to that in other countries and the implications for health reform.

Aug 19, 2009 - Building a Bridge from Fragmentation to Accountability - The Prometheus Payment Model

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 17:00:00 EDT

This article from NEJM discusses how episode-based payments might be the bridge that brings integration and accountability to America's fragmented health care system.

Aug 18, 2009 - Getting it Right: How America's Hometowns are Fighting Back Against Childhood Obesity

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EDT

Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, M.D., M.B.A., president and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, delivered the keynote address, "Getting it Right: How America's Hometowns are Fighting Back Against Childhood Obesity," at the Strand Union Building at Montana...

Aug 18, 2009 - Wisconsin's BadgerCare Plus Program: Medicaid and Subsidies Under One Umbrella

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EDT

Wisconsin's BadgerCare Plus program creates an integrated health insurance system of Medicaid and subsidies under one umbrella.

Aug 18, 2009 - Aspects of Health Reform: Introduction

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EDT

For its last act, the Economic Research Initiative on the Uninsured (ERIU) commissioned four papers to highlight the core economic principles that policy-makers should understand as they grapple with health care reform.

Aug 17, 2009 - The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Care Consumer Confidence Index: July 2009

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 11:00:00 EDT

What are Americans most afraid of when it comes to health care? How many are delaying the care they need? Are consumers confident or worried about the future?

Aug 17, 2009 - Consumer Confidence in Health Care Drops 5.2 Points in July

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 11:00:00 EDT

What are Americans most afraid of when it comes to health care? How many are delaying the care they need? Are consumers confident or worried about the future?

Aug 17, 2009 - Leading Health Foundations Say Prevention is Vital to Health Systems Reform

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 10:00:00 EDT

Letter signed by leaders of six major foundations says prevention measures must be "scaled up."

Aug 17, 2009 - Leading Health Foundations Say Prevention is Vital to Health Systems Reform

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EDT

Letter signed by leaders of six major foundations says prevention measures must be scaled up.

Aug 14, 2009 - Impact of the Economy on Health Care

webmail@rwjf.org — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EDT

Layoffs lead to lost benefits and reduced insurance premiums for many people. A new brief examines the complex interactions among employment, insurance and costs.

Aug 13, 2009 - Shared Responsibility

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EDT

New health policy brief explores the debate over employer mandates.

Aug 12, 2009 - Lessons for Health Reform from the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EDT

How elements of the nation's largest employer-sponsored health plan might serve as a model for reform.

Aug 5, 2009 - Webinar: Improving Access to Healthy Foods

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The RWJF Commission to Build a Healthier America hosts a webinar on improving access to healthy foods and the challenges for some to choose and maintain healthy eating habits.

Aug 4, 2009 - Uninsured Americans: Bigger Problem

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EDT

This chart illustrates the percentage of people in 2000 and 2009 who think the uninsured are unable to get treatment compared to those who think the uninsured still get the care they need.

Aug 4, 2009 - Uninsured Americans: Care

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EDT

This chart illustrates the percentage of people in 2000 and 2009 who think the uninsured are unable to get treatment compared to those who think the uninsured still get the care they need.

Aug 4, 2009 - Getting the Medical Care Your Community Needs: Difficulty

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EDT

This chart compares public opinion data from 2000 and 2009 on how difficult it is for the uninsured to get the care they need.

Aug 4, 2009 - Uninsured Americans: Quality

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EDT

This chart compares public opinion data from 2003 and 2009 on the quality of care received by uninsured individuals compared to those with insurance.

Aug 4, 2009 - Health Priorities Survey: The Medical System and the Uninsured

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EDT

Sixty-nine percent describe the system as 'fair' or 'poor.'

Aug 4, 2009 - Reasons Why People are Worried About Losing Health Insurance Coverage

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EDT

This chart shows the top reasons why people are worried about losing their health insurance.

Aug 4, 2009 - Losing Health Care Coverage: By Race

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EDT

This chart compares, by race, the percentage of people who are worried about losing their health insurance coverage.

Aug 4, 2009 - Losing Health Care Coverage: Levels of Concern

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EDT

This chart shows varying levels of concern over losing health insurance in the next 6 months among people who are currently insured, comparing 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Aug 4, 2009 - Getting the Medical Care Your Community Needs: Health Consequences

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EDT

This chart compares the percentage of people in 2000 and 2009 who think that those who are unable to get the medical care they need suffer health consequences.

Aug 3, 2009 - Health Priorities Survey Report

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EDT

Thisis the title slide of the Health Priorities Survey Report slideshow.

Aug 3, 2009 - Most Important Issues for Government to Address: January 1993 and June 2009

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EDT

This slide compares the percentage of people who ranked health care as the most important issue for the government to address in 1993, the last time health reform was attempted, to June 2009.

Aug 3, 2009 - Most Important Issues for Government to Address: April 2008 and June 2009

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EDT

This slide compares the percentage of people who ranked health care as one of the most important issues for the government to address in April 2008 to June 2009.

Aug 3, 2009 - Needed Medical Care

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EDT

This chart shows the percentage of people whose family member(s) did not get needed medical care due to financial or other reasons in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Aug 3, 2009 - Paying Medical Bills: By Insurance Status

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EDT

This chart shows, by insurance status, the percentage of people who have had problems paying their medical bills in the past 12 months.

Aug 3, 2009 - Paying Medical Bills: 2007-2009

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EDT

This chart shows the percentage of people in 2007, 2008 and 2009 who experienced a problem paying medical bills in the past 12 months compared to those who did not.

Aug 3, 2009 - Should There Be a Law That Requires Everyone to Have Health Insurance: Employer Plans

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EDT

This chart shows public opinion data on requiring everyone to have health insurance and fining employers who do not provide health insurance.

Aug 3, 2009 - Should There Be a Law That Requires Everyone to Have Health Insurance: Law Scenarios

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EDT

This chart shows public opinion of various laws requiring all Americans to have health insurance.

Aug 3, 2009 - Should There Be a Law That Requires Everyone to Have Health Insurance: Favor and Opposition

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EDT

This chart shows the percentage of people who favor and oppose a law requiring everyone to have health insurance.

Aug 3, 2009 - National Health Insurance

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EDT

This chart shows the percentage of people who opposed and favored a national health insurance plan in 1993, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Aug 3, 2009 - Top Problems in the Medical Care System

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EDT

This chart shows the top problems in the medical care system, as ranked by survey participants in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Aug 3, 2009 - Overall View on U.S.'s Health Care System

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EDT

This chart compares the percentage of people who think the health care system needs to be completely rebuilt, needs fundamental changes or only needs minor changes in 2009 to responses received in 1993.

Aug 3, 2009 - Describe the State of the U.S. Health Care System

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EDT

This chart compares the percentage of people ranking the health care system as in a state of crisis, having major problems, having minor problems or having no problems in 2008 and 2009.

Aug 3, 2009 - Opinion on U.S.'s System for Providing Medical Care

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EDT

This chart shows how Americans ranked the nation's system of providing medical care in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Jul 30, 2009 - Health Priorities Survey: The Medical System and the Uninsured Slideshow

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EDT

The Health Priorities Survey: The Medical System and the Uninsured addresses public opinion around several other components of health reform, including health care affordability, health coverage for the...

Jul 29, 2009 - How We Can Pay for Health Care Reform

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EDT

A new analysis shows that savings from many popular health reform ideas would finance the lion’s share of the cost of comprehensive health care reform.

Jul 29, 2009 - Webinar: Creating Healthy Communities

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

RWJF Commission to Build a Healthier America hosts a webinar focused on creating healthier homes and communities by improving the built environment and integrating safety and wellness into all aspects of the community.

Jul 28, 2009 - Sources of Health Coverage, 2007

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EDT

While the majority of those with health insurance in 2007 received it through an employer, 47.7 million, or 18.2 percent of the nonelderly, were covered by public programs, and an additional 17.9 million, or 6.8 percent, were covered by policies...

Jul 28, 2009 - Deaths Due to Surgical or Medical Mishaps per 100,000 Population, 2007

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EDT

There are more surgical and medical mishaps per capita in the U.S. than in Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada or the Netherlands, according to data gathered from 30 countries, which are part of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and...

Jul 28, 2009 - How Children Get Health Coverage

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EDT

The majority of children - an estimated 59.5 percent - had health coverage through their parent's employer in 2007. But that share declined from 65.9 percent in 2000 as a result of two trends. The percentage of small employers offering coverage...

Jul 24, 2009 - Why is U.S. Health Care So Costly?

webmail@rwjf.org — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EDT

In an interview with the Web site, Big Think, RWJF President and CEO Risa Lavizzo-Mourey says that if we want to rein in health care costs and improve patient outcomes, we must find ways to deliver the right care at the right...

Jul 24, 2009 - How Can People Improve Their Health?

webmail@rwjf.org — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EDT

RWJF President and CEO Risa Lavizzo-Mourey discusses strategies to build a culture of wellness in an interview with the Big Think, for a series about the future of health care co-produced by the Web site and MSNBC.

Jul 24, 2009 - Coverage for Low-Income People

webmail@rwjf.org — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EDT

New policy brief examines proposals for expanding Medicaid and CHIP and the consequences for low-Income people.

Jul 22, 2009 - Tax Subsidies for Private Health Insurance - July 2009 Update

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EDT

This brief is an update of a previous synthesis report published in 2003, and presents essential information about the structure and distribution of existing tax subsidies for ESI and the implications for policy options.

Jul 22, 2009 - Prevalence of Obesity Among U.S. Children and Adolescents (Aged 2-19 Years)

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EDT

Obesity rates have soared among all age groups, tripling among children ages 6 to 11.

Jul 22, 2009 - Designing Effective Health Care Quality Transparency Initiatives

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

This brief highlights two report card initiatives for hospitals and primary care physicians that can be considered success stories.

Jul 22, 2009 - Health Care Quality Transparency: If You Build It, Will Patients Come?

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A critical first step is to raise consumer awareness of the existence and serious implications of provider quality gaps.

Jul 21, 2009 - Emergency Department Utilization and Capacity

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:00:00 EDT

This synthesis addresses questions about the performance and sustainability of hospital EDs and what patterns of ED utilization reveal about the functioning of the U.S. health sector overall.

Jul 20, 2009 - Consumer Confidence in Health Care Rises 3.6 Points in June

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:00:00 EDT

What are Americans most afraid of when it comes to health care? How many have trouble paying their medical bills? Does income affect confidence?

Jul 20, 2009 - The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Care Consumer Confidence Index: June 2009

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:00:00 EDT

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Care Consumer Confidence Index (RWJF Index) found that American’s confidence in their health insurance coverage and access to health care rose slightly in June. The RWJF Index rose 3.6 points last month to...

Jul 20, 2009 - An Analysis of the Distribution of Cost-Sharing Levels in Individual and Small-Group Coverage

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EDT

New report explores how individual and small group benefits are currently structured and examines the policy implications for health reform.

Jul 17, 2009 - Beyond the $1.6 Trillion Sticker Shock

webmail@rwjf.org — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EDT

Latest brief analyzes the 10-Year health reform plan.

Jul 16, 2009 - Spotlight on Prevention

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EDT

What’s At StakeAlthough the U.S. spends $2.2 trillion every year for health care - far more than any other nation - Americans are not as healthy as they could or should be.For the first time, we are raising a generation of...

Jul 15, 2009 - RWJF Five Questions with TFAH's Jeff Levi

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EDT

A prevention strategy progress report.

Jul 15, 2009 - Webinar: Starting Early on a Path Toward Good Health

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

RWJF Commission to Build a Healthier America hosts a webinar focused on early childhood programs, nutritional needs and K-12 physical activity.

Jul 14, 2009 - How Often Recommended Care is Received, Selected Conditions

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EDT

A 2003 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that a random sample of about 7,500 adults received only about half of the recommended treatments appropriate to their medical conditions. “These deficits, which pose serious threats to the...

Jul 13, 2009 - PROMETHEUS Payment Reform Quarterly Newsletter, Issue 3

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The third issue of the PROMETHEUS Payment project's quarterly newsletter provides brief updates on the program's latest work.

Jul 13, 2009 - Improving the Health of All Americans Through Better Nutrition

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A fact sheet from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Commission to Build a Healthier America on nutrition.

Jul 13, 2009 - Improving the Health of All Americans By Focusing on the Early Years of Life

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A fact sheet from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Commission to Build a Healthier America on the early years of life.

Jul 13, 2009 - Improving the Health of All Americans Through Safe and Healthy Housing

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A fact sheet from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Commission to Build a Healthier Americaon housing.

Jul 9, 2009 - Tax Debate

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EDT

Workers who get health coverage from their employers don't pay income or payroll taxes on it. Should some of it be taxed to help pay for coverage for others?

Jul 6, 2009 - An Emerging Middle Ground?

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EDT

The report identifies and explores eight areas in which diverse business, medical and consumer interests are beginning to find middle ground and earn the support of bipartisan lawmakers.

Jul 5, 2009 - Tobacco Regulation is a Step Toward Better Health

webmail@rwjf.org — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

RWJF President and CEO Risa Lavizzo-Mourey discusses the signing of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act in a column in The Star-Ledger of Newark, N.J.

Jul 1, 2009 - F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies Are Failing in America 2009

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EDT

This report details how obesity policies are failing in America.

Jul 1, 2009 - F as in Fat 2009

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EDT

Obesity rates increase in 23 states; report urges stronger response through health reform, national strategy.

Jun 30, 2009 - Right Care at the Right Time

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:12:00 EDT

This slide provides commentary from Dr. Jim Bailey, who tells a story of the impact of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Aligning Forces for Quality work in Memphis.

Jun 30, 2009 - Systemic Change Requires Collaboration

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:12:00 EDT

This slide states that systematic change requires those who get care, give care and pay for care to work together toward a system that rewards and promotes better health and better health care.

Jun 30, 2009 - It Can Be Done

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:12:00 EDT

This slide states that collaboration is imperative to quality improvement, and that quality health care is an issue that pertains to individuals, their communities and the country at large.

Jun 30, 2009 - Diana's Story: Experiencing Disparities

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:50:00 EDT

This slide includes commentary from Diana Edmonds, who talks about her experience of disparities in care faced by her African-American husband.

Jun 30, 2009 - A Sea-Change in Health Care?

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EDT

In an interview with the Web site, Big Think, RWJF President and CEO Risa Lavizzo-Mourey says doctors and hospitals could improve quality by focusing on "outcomes," that...

Jun 30, 2009 - Why Electronic Medical Records Are Important

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EDT

RWJF President and CEO Risa Lavizzo-Mourey explains why they will lead to better and more cost-effective treatment.

Jun 30, 2009 - Reversing the Childhood Obesity Epidemic

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Risa Lavizzo-Mourey talks about the Foundation's commitment and 2015 goal.

Jun 30, 2009 - Talking About Quality Part 3: How We Get There—Payment Reform

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

This slideshow presents several case studies about payment reform that rely on measuring and reporting performance information and rewarding health care providers for quality improvement efforts.

Jun 30, 2009 - Talking About Quality Part 3: How We Get There—Consumer Engagement

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

This slideshow presents the resources that are available to patients, how patients use information on health care, and how the choices people make profoundly affect health outcomes and cost of care.

Jun 30, 2009 - Talking About Quality Part 3: How We Get There—Quality Improvement

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

This slideshow depicts quality improvement efforts in various settings.

Jun 30, 2009 - Talking About Quality Part 3: How We Get There—Performance Measurement and Public Reporting

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

This slideshow presents information about performance measurement and public reporting, including ways they are being implemented around the country.

Jun 30, 2009 - Talking About Quality Part 3: How We Get There—Aligning Forces for Quality

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

This slideshow describes Aligning Forces for Quality, a local and national approach that brings together those who get care, give care and pay for care to improve health care quality.

Jun 30, 2009 - Neighborhood Environments and Physical Activity Among Adults in 11 Countries

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The International Physical Activity Prevalence Study (IPS) collected estimates of physical activity levels and related environmental characteristics in 11 countries. Analysis of IPS data indicates that designing neighborhoods to support physical activity is an...

Jun 25, 2009 - Changes to the Tax Exclusion of Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance Premiums: A Potential Source of Financing for Health Reform

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EDT

Researchers from the Urban Institute demonstrate that limiting the tax exclusion for employer-sponsored plans could generate significant revenue.

Jun 25, 2009 - Webcast: Consumer Choice in Health Care

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EDT

How might health reform affect our choices? How could health information technology help us make more intelligent choices? How much choice do we really have now? How much choice do we need? These questions were recently addressed at a National Press Club briefing by...

Jun 25, 2009 - Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Commission to Build a Healthier America Slideshow