Chair File: Sharing Examples of How We Are Making Health Care More Affordable

One of our field’s greatest strengths is not only our ability to innovate, but also our willingness to share our efforts so we can learn from each other to advance patient health.

Hospitals and health systems across the country are focused on creating new approaches and implementing creative solutions that drive value and improve care. They’re approaching it from a variety of perspectives, including a redesign of the delivery system, managing risk and new payment models, improving quality and outcomes, and implementing operational solutions. 

Some of the best work underway is captured in a recent summary from AHA’s The Value Initiative. Our Members in Action series spotlights value-based strategies from 19 hospitals and health systems that are focusing on efforts to improve health care affordability. 
The approaches highlighted in this resource run the gamut: from increased use of predictive analytics and telehealth, to reducing emergency department visits by having paramedics provide preventive care, to eliminating unnecessary blood transfusions and ensuring the appropriateness of all tests, procedures, treatments and medications. We also have on-demand webinars with more detailed information about all these initiatives that AHA members can use if they want to explore similar strategies. The best part, each example includes real results—including how these approaches improved outcomes, enhanced patient experiences or lowered costs. 

At a time when Americans report increased anxiety over their ability to afford quality health care, these examples highlight just a few of the ways hospitals and health systems are leading efforts to advance affordability by transforming the way health care is delivered in our communities.