A new review of Value Based Purchasing efforts in Massachusetts, Minnesota, Washington, and Wisconsin suggests that tiered premiums, pay-for-performance measures, and the designation of high-performance providers as "centers of excellence" are paying off. The research, sponsored by the Commonwealth Fund, examines the current and potential role of state and local governments, as well as public–private coalitions, in promoting value-driven health care.

Massachusetts Health Reform posted lots of numbers this past week and the suggest a few key lessons/insights from the numbers. Number 1: the MassHealth “surge” from Chapter 58 is over, and the impact is a net gain of 47,000. Click here for their other observations.

Also, the Los Angeles Times reported September 1 that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez are “fashioning a high-stakes strategy focused on expanding medical coverage to nearly all of the 4.9 million Californians without it. The plan would require all Californians to have insurance and would give subsidies to those unable to afford coverage. It would also address the problems of the private insurance market and require healthcare providers to reveal the costs of their services to foster competition.” The Legislative session ends in mid-September..