Monthly Archive for October, 2010

Continuous improvement through Lean management

By Scott Armstrong

King County Executive Dow Constantine asked me to describe the management transformation effort that Group Health has been undergoing the past several years at a meeting of county managers this week. Here is some of what I shared. 

One way in which our organizations are alike is that we attract and retain people who are deeply committed to the service we provide people in the communities around us.

For Group Health—and I might add for the nation as well—higher quality health care is the most effective and sustainable way to lower costs.  Continue reading ‘Continuous improvement through Lean management’

Published on October 27, 2010 in Health Care Reform. 3 Comments

Vote to elect the Board of my health plan. Why would I care?

By Scott Armstrong

That’s a very reasonable question in today’s complex world where most people find their health plan almost as distant as their cable TV company. But, for more than 60 years, Group Health Cooperative has been proving that there’s a better way of doing business.

This Saturday, Oct. 23, Group Health will once again celebrate its commitment to consumer governance at the Lynnwood Convention Center. This is where members of the Board of Trustees will be elected, and I will give a formal report to the membership and answer questions from the audience. Continue reading ‘Vote to elect the Board of my health plan. Why would I care?’

Published on October 20, 2010 in Health Care Reform. 2 Comments Tags: , , .

Shining a light on Washington state’s Health Insurance Partnership

By Karen Merrikin, JD

Get the word out – there’s help for small businesses who need assistance offering health coverage to their employees.   

Thanks to a five-year, $34.7 million federal grant awarded in October 2009, the Washington state Health Care Authority can resume its work to implement the Health Insurance Partnership (HIP).  The HIP was established in 2007 by the state legislature to help small businesses purchase health insurance, but the work stalled when state funding was cut in January 2009 due to the state budget crisis.   Continue reading ‘Shining a light on Washington state’s Health Insurance Partnership’

Published on October 18, 2010 in Access to care and Health Care Reform. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

New law provides for safe disposal of prescription drugs

By Diana Birkett Rakow

It is especially great news, as we approach election day and in a year when much Congressional debate on health care policy was frought with disagreement, that federal legislation to provide safe disposal of prescription drugs passed last week with widespread bipartisan support. The final version of S. 3397, the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010 (a compromise between House and Senate versions of the legislation – S. 3397 and H.R. 5809, the Safe Drug Disposal Act), is expected to soon be signed into law by the President. Continue reading ‘New law provides for safe disposal of prescription drugs’

Published on October 5, 2010 in Quality Health Care. 0 Comments Tags: .