Health System Reform: The Value and Price of Innovation

Publication Date: January 2008

Publisher: Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences

Author(s): S.O. Their

Research Area: Health

Type: White Paper

Abstract:

Innovation, or the successful implementation of new concepts, has a central role to play in reforming the health care system.



In this paper, the author discussed the role of innovation in health care reform with the idea that the health care system should sustain and improve health for as many people as possible.



Key Findings:



Health care system design is most likely to be effective when it is implemented locally at the city, state, or regional level due to the demographic, geographic and economic diversity that characterizes the United States.
Efforts such as the Commonwealth Fund's Task Force on a High Performance Health System could facilitate movement toward a revised health care system.
To reform the health care system it will be necessary to conduct comparative evaluations, measure cost effectiveness, move toward integrated systems of care and broaden the education of health professionals. Research into the various facets of health care should promote the innovation that will be beneficial to health care system reform.