NEHI Survey Finds Opinion Leaders Calling for Greater Innovation to Increase Health Care Access

Findings to be discussed by Health Experts at NEHI Conference

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., April 25, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In a survey released by NEHI, opinion leaders point to innovation as key to solving the nation's health care problems.  Respondents ranked access to care as the most important challenge in need of new thinking, but also believe innovation is necessary to contain costs without cutbacks in coverage or services.  These findings are part of the NEHI Innovation Barometer, sponsored by NEHI in partnership with Ernst & Young and come at a time when access to care remains at the center of the health care debate. To discuss the findings, NEHI is gathering health experts, including FDA Commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg, Chairman of the Commonwealth Fund Commission on a High Performance Health System Dr. David Blumenthal and advisors from the Obama and Romney presidential campaigns, at the NEHI Innovation Conference tomorrow, April 26, at the Westin Copley Boston Hotel.   

"The survey indicates we need innovative solutions to our health care challenges and access is at the top of the list for these new ideas," said NEHI President Wendy Everett.  "The survey suggests that neither supporters nor opponents of the Affordable Care Act are perceived as having seized the mantle of innovation regarding expanding access to care."

Survey findings to be explored at NEHI's conference include:

• 41% of respondents say access to health care is the most important challenge to address with an innovation solution.
• 78% of respondents believe costs can be controlled if there are new ways to be more efficient in delivering health services.
• 54% of respondents support government action to improve the health system, even if it increases the deficit in the short term.

"The NEHI survey illustrates strong support for new thinking by the health sector to increase access to care," said Glen Giovannetti of Ernst & Young.  "Leaders in the public and private sectors need to follow NEHI's lead in harnessing this support so our country continues to have the premier health care delivery system."

The NEHI conference will feature remarks from health experts and one of the first health care discussions of the presidential campaign between the Obama and Romney campaigns.  Speakers include:

• FDA Commissioner Dr. Hamburg
• Commission on a High Performance Health System Chairman Dr. Blumenthal
• Obama campaign advisor Paul Kim
• Romney campaign advisor Tom Barker
• CEO roundtable with PhRMA, Advamed, Covidien, Steward Health Care System and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.                                            

About the NEHI Innovation Barometer
APCO Insight, opinion research consultancy of APCO Worldwide, designed and conducted the survey.  The survey, conducted via telephone, interviewed 500 opinion leaders in the U.S. from March 22-29, 2012.  

About NEHI
NEHI is a national health policy institute focused on enabling innovation to improve health care quality and lower health care costs. In partnership with members across the health care system, NEHI conducts research and stimulates policy change to improve health care quality and value. Visit www.nehi.net.

CONTACT:
Nick King
617-225-0857
[email protected]

SOURCE NEHI