By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Strengthening Medicare to Improve Outcomes
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Health Reform > Strengthening Medicare to Improve Outcomes
Health ReformPolicy & Law

Strengthening Medicare to Improve Outcomes

KennethThorpe
KennethThorpe
Share
3 Min Read
Image
SHARE

ImageThis week, I was invited to testify on Capitol Hill in front of the Senate Special Committee on Aging in a hearing to discuss “Strengthening Medicare for Today and the Future.” Called to explore the possibilities for protecting the Medicare program without shifting costs or cutting

ImageThis week, I was invited to testify on Capitol Hill in front of the Senate Special Committee on Aging in a hearing to discuss “Strengthening Medicare for Today and the Future.” Called to explore the possibilities for protecting the Medicare program without shifting costs or cutting benefits, the hearing provided an opportunity to underscore several concepts that were raised at the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease’s (PFCD) event in December, “Medicare & Health Care Savings: Can Entitlement Reforms Help to Bridge the Gaps for Healthy Aging.”

As acknowledged by the Committee, recent polling suggests most Americans strongly oppose significantly cutting or changing the program to reduce the deficit. In the midst of speculation over the sequester, I was eager to point out that strengthening Medicare doesn’t require a complete recreation of the wheel – there is already substantial evidence from programs in states and the private sector in randomized trials that shows us what works… and that is care coordination. The sooner Medicare can implement the best practices that we already know are effective, the sooner we can all benefit from better health outcomes, a healthier fiscal climate and a protected and revitalized Medicare program. But we need to start now. Simply cutting payments to providers and Medicare Advantage plans will achieve budget savings, but they do not reduce costs and over time may ultimately reduce access to care.

With an emphasis on care coordination and prevention as critical elements to reducing spending and improving quality of health care, I also highlighted the importance of delivery reform and the critical role of providers in the process. With a more thoughtful approach to cost cutting, reforms can pay bigger dividends in the long term and provide for more sustainable changes that will help our aging population enjoy better health for a greater portion of their lives.

More Read

Repeal Without Replace Starts Destroying GOP’s Chances
Seeing Patients by the Dozen: Group Appointments Are Increasing
Medical Negligence Solicitors in Dublin: How to Find the Right One
The Ambulatory Long Block: Resident Training in a High-Functioning Clinical Microsystem
Obesity – A Disease?

My full statement to the Committee can be found here.

image:healthreform/shutterstock

TAGGED:Medicare
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

Guide To Pursuing a Career in Nursing as a Foreigner in the USA
Collaboration Is the Prescription for Better Patient Care
Health
October 20, 2025
Epidemiological Health Benefits
Personal and Epidemiological Health Benefits of Blood Pressure Management
Health
October 13, 2025
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Understanding Traumatic Brain Injuries: What Families Need to Know
Policy & Law
October 10, 2025
Remote Monitoring touchpoints
Remote Monitoring Touchpoints Patients Will Actually Follow
Technology
October 9, 2025

You Might also Like

The Intersection of Speed and Safety: Understanding the Health Implications
Health carePublic Health

The Intersection of Speed and Safety: Understanding the Health Implications of Deportive Car Accidents

April 5, 2025

Big Brother in Your Medicine Cabinet

March 18, 2012
URAC Specialty Pharmacy Accreditation
BusinessPolicy & Law

URAC vs. PCAB Pharmacy Accreditation

January 21, 2015
healthcare consumerism
BusinessFinanceHealth Reform

Health Insurance “Rate Shock”: A New Opportunity Within the Broader Trend of Healthcare Consumerism

May 10, 2013
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?