Here is a look at the top five at Health Evolution in the month of April. Thanks for reading!
1 Is the concept of ‘social determinants of health’ inhibiting progress toward equity?
Executives and thought leaders now need to refer to social determinants with more realistic, less euphemistic, nomenclature. “We have to call social determinants of health what it is — poverty and racism — and speak in plain English as opposed to creating these terms of art,” said Sachin Jain, MD, SCAN Group and Health Plan. “I don’t even like to use the term social determinants of health because it gives a sense that these are immutable or as unchangeable as your genetic code,” added Carrie Byington, MD, Executive Vice President, University of California Health.
2 New CMMI chief commits to alternative payment models
Liz Fowler worked with the Obama administration to develop the Affordable Care Act, which ultimately created the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI). As such, the new head of CMMI understands the importance of the organization as a testing ground for alternative payment models. She also knows value-based care is at a critical juncture. “Ultimately we at CMMI want APMs to position participants for success. Sometimes that means speeding up when there is an opportunity. Sometimes that means taking a beat to ensure a forthcoming model can realistically deliver on what’s intended,” Fowler said recently. Here’s her vision for the future of CMMI.
3 In Biden administration, funding opportunities are emerging for affordability, health equity
The American Rescue Plan represents a significant opportunity to address affordability and social determinants of health. ”As you think about linking together public health, traditional health care partners, social services, and mental health, this is going to be a huge opportunity,” said Mandy Cohen, MD, Secretary, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. “What the funding should not be allocated toward is fee-for-service medicine,” added Mark McClellan, MD, Director, Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy & Robert J. Margolis, MD, Professor of Business, Medicine and Policy.
4 The year(s) ahead: Eight imperatives emerging post-pandemic
The U.S. is a full year into the most destructive and deadly pandemic in a century, combined with social, financial and political upheaval, and key indicators are now suggesting the world is nearing a turning point. Health system, health plan and life sciences CEOs, and top executives will simultaneously face multiple legacy-defining transformations, including modernizing the health care system, addressing long-standing inequities and affordability challenges, as well as leveraging data, technology and medical breakthroughs, all at a faster pace of innovation and adoption than was thought possible as recently as early 2020. Here are Health Evolution’s eight imperatives for emerging from the pandemic stronger and more resilient.
5 Post COVID, Ascension is all in on ASCs, virtual care and agile working environments
For 26 years, Eduardo Conrado worked at Motorola to help first responders deal with high-stress situations by delivering the information they need from devices in a way that wouldn’t cause harm. It’s not unlike what he’s now working on as Ascension’s chief strategy and innovation officer, in particular as the health system has dealt with the horrible COVID-19 pandemic over the past year. He recently spoke to Health Evolution about how the health system is shifting its strategic priorities in response to COVID-19.
Upcoming at Health Evolution
Health Evolution Summit: August 25-27, 2021
Health Evolution Summit is an in person and virtual gathering that engages leaders committed to the transformation of health care.
Health Evolution Confab: September 15-16, 2022
The Confab is an intimate community of leaders committed to driving change by elevating dynamic, diverse voices that invigorate thinking and create relationships to fuel corporate performance and impact.
CEO Reports
Increasing Vaccine Uptake in Diverse Communities
In this guide, CEOs can follow 10 steps to increase vaccine confidence and accessibility in the diverse communities they serve.
CEO Guide to Artificial Intelligence in Health Care
How to navigate the unknown capability of AI as well as the disruption, challenges and opportunities it presents.
Innovation Guide: Returning to the Next Normal
A three-part series developed with Providence’s Digital Innovation Group to inform strategic development for moving into the digital future beyond COVID-19.
Inside the Innovation Lab
Innovator CEO profile: WISE Healthcare’s Sajid Ahmed
In this Innovation Lab interview series, Ahmed discusses expanding the business by more than 100 percent in 2020, why his team consists of workflow engineers, scaling from one to 34 sites in less than six weeks for a client, and more.
