<nobr>Oct 20, 2008</nobr>

PCPCC Holds Stakeholders' Summit, Releases Survey Finding Voters Want Next President to Make Patient Centered Primary Care Key Component of Health Reform

The Patient Centered Primary Care Collaborative on October 17 held its second annual summit that featured foremost health policy leaders on the growing movement and increasing momentum on the Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH). The leaders shared best practices and reviewed the progress the PCMH is making in communities via demonstration projects and pilot programs across the country.

ERIC Health Policy Committee Chair Dr. Paul Grundy, IBM's Director of Healthcare Technology and Strategic Initiatives, and Edwina Rogers, ERIC's Vice President for Health Policy, provided a progress report on PCPCC's support of the PCMH model and expansion of patient-centered primary care as part of health care reform proposals.

The Summit featured panels on the consumer experience with patient-centered care, financing the PCMH, the PCMH as a key component of health policy reform, and incorporating the PCMH into a McCain or Obama Administration's health reform agenda. The keynote luncheon offered an international perspective on the success of the PCMH, featuring the Honorable Gerald Malone, former Minister of State at the Department of Health, United Kingdom, and the Honorable Bernat Soria, Health Minister of Spain.

As many of the speakers pointed out, the evidence from the pilot programs already is showing real cost savings by reducing the number of unnecessary tests, consultations and emergency room visits.

PCPCC Survey Finds Voters Want Patient Centered Primary Care to be Key Component of Fixing Health Care

A new survey conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of the PCPCC found that support for the major presidential candidates' health care plans surges when the patient-centered medical home model is included. The survey found that more than 75 percent of respondents said their support would increase for the next U.S. President's health care reform plan if it includes a PCMH.

The survey of 2,022 self-identified registered voters found that 96 percent think it's important that health care reform is a top priority for the next president. In addition, 56 percent of respondents reported that it is difficult to navigate the health care system for themselves and their families.

In announcing the results of the survey, Dr. Grundy said, "We want the next President to know that the patient-centered medical home is a model that is proving to provide better health outcomes for patients while holding the line, or in some cases, even reducing the costs of delivering health care." The PCMH model enjoys bipartisan political support and both major presidential candidates have publicly voiced support for the patient-centered medical home model.

Questions or comments on the PCPCC should be addressed to either Edwina Rogers, erogers@eric.org, or Rohan Beesla, rbeesla@eric.org.

Websites:

Moderator and Speaker Biographies

Summit Agenda and Speaker Slide Shows

PCMH Compiation of Pilot and Demonstration Projects

PCPCC Release of Survey

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