Research & Policy

We're focused on improving how we measure value, ensuring transparency related to value and cost, and stimulating efforts
to reward value.

The CHV Research and Policy Initiative works with all stakeholders at the state and national levels to create a health care system that fosters high-value care.


 

Its aims include 1) improving our ability to measure value, 2) increasing transparency about value and cost, and 3) stimulating market developments, accreditation standards, and government payment or reporting rules that reward value.

These are critical issues in healthcare. For example, while telemedicine visits over the internet may seem convenient, we found that sometimes doctors meeting patients over the internet were reluctant to order tests for them, even when needed, perhaps because they didn’t know which labs were in the patient’s area or assumed the patient wouldn’t want to (see this story in Fortune magazine).  In another example, most women assume pelvic exams are always the right thing to do. In fact, there are many situations in which a pelvic exam doesn’t help much, but most don’t realize it. We found that, if you tell them all the pros and cons, they’re much more likely to forego exams (see this National Public Radio story).

To address this, we work with many partners to help consumers understand what they need, what they’re likely to get, and how much things will cost. For instance, we have a program with Consumer Reports to share price and quality information about doctors and hospitals at this website (see also a related Los Angeles Times story).

The program also includes collaborations with hospitals and other providers to design novel approaches that utilize electronic health records and other technology-based resources to measure value. Additionally, this team works with employers, labor unions, and other purchasers to establish payment policies that support organizations that try to improve, and with consumer, patient and other groups to achieve transparency related to price, quality, and other aspects of value.

Finally, recognizing the significant role that the government plays in U.S. health care as both a purchaser and a regulator, this team supports interactions with governmental and quasi-governmental organizations to increase the likelihood of adoption of policies that support value.