May, 2018 vol. 1 - In This Issue:
Creating a culture of health in the United States requires that we focus policy and practice on the end user. Patients and their caregivers and families must use too many resources, both emotional and monetary, trying to navigate and make sense of our convoluted system of care. Those with co-morbid or chronic health needs often face more extensive challenges. 
Leader voices abound with solutions that could fundamentally change this reality. Using technology to facilitate access and participation by patients in their care is certainly a step forward, as is creating a clearer, more transparent environment for price information. But we must go farther, to understand the health goals and priorities of patients, and to design and finance care that can meet those needs, even beyond the medical model. Perhaps the most important and most challenging changes need to eliminate barriers - data, legal, financial, racial, geographical - that undermine even the best-designed system. 
doctor.jpg Putting Our Principles to Work 

Many years ago, when I first started working at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, I heard a talk by one of our most respected leaders in which he proposed a pledge to the American people for the agency. It spoke to responsibility and values.  

elderly-laptop-couple.jpg Providence St. Joseph launches national telemedicine network 

Providence St. Joseph Health launched its telemedicine network that will deliver acute stroke, mental health, direct-to-consumer and after-hours care to more than 100 facilities across the western U.S., the integrated health system announced Monday.  

army_soldiers.jpg VA health system outperforming other providers, new study shows 

The Veterans Affairs medical system is working as well or better than non-VA care, researchers with the RAND Corporation found in a study released on Thursday, with the caveat that there was "high variation" in quality across facilities.  

business_group_women.jpg Survey Says: We're Missing an Opportunity to Engage Women in Their Health Care 

Women make about 80 percent of health care decisions and provide nearly two-thirds of family caregiving in our nation. Efficient, convenient access to online medical records, usually via patient portals, helps women make informed decisions about their care and that of their loved ones.  

pharmacy2.jpg 5 ways policymakers could lower drug prices 

President Donald Trump is expected to deliver a speech this week outlining policies that could help contain drug prices-a divisive issue that the administration has long discussed but has yet to tackle head on.  

pharmacy.jpg Improving Patient Involvement in Care 

With a perspective that spans direct patient care and health system leadership, Gary Kaplan, MD, Chairman and CEO of Virginia Mason Health System, says that if health care providers are truly committed to patient health, then they must deepen their commitment to prevention, patient engagement, and care redesign.  

pills3.jpg Let's talk about drug costs 

In the spirit of the pharmaceutical industry's advertising campaign slogan, "Let's Talk about Cost," let's do just that. More specifically, let's talk about the skyrocketing costs of prescription drugs and what they mean for patients and our health care system.  

wheelchair-man-windows.jpg No One Is Free From Harm: The danger of having no one in charge of coordinating care 

Working for more than 30 years in healthcare did not prepare me for the chain of medical errors and uncoordinated care that led to my mother Clara's death following knee replacement surgery.I started sharing the story of my mother's poor care as a way to help me in my personal grieving process.  

pills2.jpg CVS gives pharmacists, doctors tools to cut drug spending 

Debate between pharma and payers has spilled over into the pharmacy, as two sides of the healthcare industry spar over the other's hand in the rising drug costs directly borne by patients.  


Passion + Quality = Change That Matters
  
I embrace the powerful opportunities in our evolving health care landscape. I founded Momentum Health Strategies to be a catalyst for change through continuous learning, diverse engagement and thoughtful policy and practice initiatives. I deliver innovative, strategic thinking and a passion for improving the patient experience. My personal drive and dedication to high-quality results will help you navigate the competitive terrain you face and convert your vision to action.

Momentum Health Strategies

Jennifer L Bright, MPA
(703) 628 - 0534