Health Care Reform in West Virginia: The Roadmap to Health Project

Understanding the Need for Health Care Reform

Over the years, the American Health Care Industry has not made it a priority to make continuous improvements in the areas of access, safety, quality and efficiency. As a result, the ramifications have been felt by all as costs have skyrocketed. West Virginia, like all states, acknowledges the severity of this issue and has a number of government and private groups weighing in and/or taking action. The question that remains is, of all these initiatives, what is the best approach? That is, what needs to be done, by whom and when?

West Virginia’s Bold Demand for Change

On May 19, 2008, West Virginia’s legislature called for all those engaged in health care to take a major step in addressing the monumental challenge of reform. Recognizing that a number of health care reform efforts were in progress and that a shared approach was needed, Senator Roman Prezioso and Delegate Don Perdue (respective leaders of the Senate and House of Delegates committees on health) and Select Committee D on Health launched The Roadmap to Health Project.

Understanding that such change requires broad-based support, the Manchin administration, business and labor leaders, legislators, volunteers and a number of health care stakeholders were all on hand at the launch to rally in agreement that no longer is it whether we need to change, but rather how can we come together as a state to bring about this long-overdue change.

Project Strategy

Those engaged in The Roadmap to Health Project will examine health care from a perspective of removing the insurance issue (i.e., payers) from the equation. The focus will instead be on how to build a state-of-the-art health care delivery system in West Virginia.

The Critical Importance of Collaboration

All stakeholders are unified in this process by sharing a common goal of creating a health care delivery system that works. With the understanding that a number of important initiatives are already underway in the area of health care reform, this project will not be about coming up with entirely new process suggestions. It will instead inventory, organize and build upon the quality initiatives already in progress here in West Virginia.

Project Process

Strong collaborative efforts carried out in a positive, structured process bring about sustainable change with a higher likelihood of acceptance. Therefore, this project will expect all volunteers that take part to keep an open mind and be prepared to work together toward solutions that allow West Virginia to have safe, high-quality health care delivered in a timely and efficient manner.

Emory University health care economist, Dr. Kenneth Thorpe will lead four working groups in their respective charge with each being given a year to assemble a set of recommendations. These recommendations will then inform landmark legislation for the 2009 session that will ensure West Virginia’s health care delivery system is the best in the nation. The working groups are:

An executive committee made up of the four working group chairmen and other key stakeholders will monitor and coordinate the groups’ progress and provide monthly updates to Select Committee D on Health.

Vision Shared Inc., a statewide nonprofit community and economic development organization, will manage the reform effort administratively, providing the required process structure, support and facilitation. They will also seek to ensure that all working groups have broad-based membership, ranging from health care professionals to consumers.

If you have an interest in volunteering on one of the four working groups or know someone who would be a good addition, sign up online today or contact Vision Shared at info@visionshared.com.