Center for American Progress

Don’t Handicap the Reform: Protecting Integrated Care Systems
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Don’t Handicap the Reform: Protecting Integrated Care Systems

Congress is preparing to finalize a health care bill for both chambers to consider. The purpose of healthcare reform is to increase the number of insured, improve the level of health care and reduce health care spending. Although there are many disputes in the health care debate, two issues seem clear. First, integrated health care systems, which combine payment and health care delivery, are superior in delivering high quality health care and controlling health care costs. Second, traditional health insurers that focus solely on payment dominate health insurance markets, resulting in escalating costs, higher premiums and the chronic problems of the uninsured.

Congress is preparing to finalize a health care bill for both chambers to consider.  The purpose of healthcare reform is to increase the number of insured, improve the level of health care and reduce health care spending.  Although there are many disputes in the health care debate, two issues seem clear.  First, integrated health care systems, which combine payment and health care delivery, are superior in delivering high quality health care and controlling health care costs.  Second, traditional health insurers that focus solely on payment dominate health insurance markets, resulting in escalating costs, higher premiums and the chronic problems of the uninsured.

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