Group Health to Lead State Health Care Reform Pilots

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August 31, 2010

The Washington State Health Care Authority has named Group Health Cooperative to lead pilot projects to improve health care quality for Washingtonians. Group Health will lead an effort to bring a variety of health care providers — from primary care doctors and physical therapists to surgeons and hospitals — into an organized group that is collectively responsible for the health of each patient. This model of "integrated care" is one that has guided Group Health since its founding in 1947. It is seen by many as the answer to slowing down increasing costs by doing a better job of caring for each patient, avoiding unnecessary tests and treatments, emergency room visits and hospitalizations caused by lack of communication and coordination.

"We know that part of the answer lies in doctors working together to create a system that is accountable for the health of each patient as he or she moves through the continuum of care — prevention, diagnosis, treatment, recovery and prevention again," said Group Health President and CEO Scott Armstrong. "Within Group Health we have demonstrated that integrated care can provide distinctly better results. This is an exciting opportunity to extend participation in this more holistic approach to providers across the state."

Bringing providers together, and sharing responsibility for cost and quality, is called an "accountable care organization" (ACO) in new state legislation and the new federal health care reform law.

"When I sponsored Senate Bill 6522, my goal was to expand the concept of accountable care organizations by developing a functional accountable care model in those communities that cannot support the traditional integrated delivery network," said nurse and state Sen. Cheryl Pflug, R-Maple Valley. "I'm excited to see the selection of Group Health as the lead organization. This next step will build upon their recent success with enhancing the coordinating role of the primary care provider. I look forward to substantial progress toward an efficient health system that is far more satisfying for patients and providers."

The pilots must be developed by January 2012 without using state funding. Group Health may seek federal funds and solicit grants, donations, and other sources of funding. The Group Health Research Institute (GHRI) and Douglas A. Conrad, University of Washington health services professor and co-director of UW's Center for Health Management Research, will help evaluate the pilot projects.

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