The Commonwealth Fund Releases Report Outlining Steps To Improve Health Care, Reduce Costs 

The Commonwealth Fund has released a report that the U.S. over the next 10 years could reduce health care costs by $1.5 trillion, expand health insurance to more residents and improve quality of care through widespread reforms to eliminate inefficiencies and increased taxes. Reductions in health care costs would be achieved through accelerating adoption of health information technology and achieving savings with a system that pays physicians based on the quality and outcome, rather than the number of tests and procedures they perform, according to the report. In addition, the report examines an increase in the federal tobacco tax by $2 per pack from 39 cents per pack, as well as a one-cent tax on 12-ounce, sugar-sweetened soft drinks and a 1% tax on health insurance premiums. The soft drink tax could finance a campaign against obesity, and the health insurance tax would fund computerization of medical records. To view the report go to: http://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/publications_show.htm?doc_id=620087