Bay Area Council Awarded $120,000 Grant for Healthcare Reform Implementation

We are delighted to announce a partnership with the California Endowment to lead best practices for healthcare reform implementation in California. With a grant of $120,000, the Council will work to ensure that public and private stakeholders and actors work together to design and implement the best possible outcome-focused processes and structures that move us to affordable, high-quality, efficient, and cost-effective health care—care that is sustainable and designed for continuous improvement.

The recent passage of federal health insurance reform legislation, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), is a historic step forward. Still, much remains to be done in order to create a truly effective, efficient, and high-value system that keeps Americans as healthy as possible. And the healthcare system will not change easily given powerful interests deeply invested in the status quo.  This foundational resistance is bolstered by an active campaign of disinformation, attempts to repeal the legislation, and confusion, distrust and resistance among many in the business and policymaker communities.

Additionally, there is no single business perspective on health reform.  Employers hold a variety of positions on the big issues of financing and payment, as well as on such issues as the “public option” and the role of government. However, it is in California’s long-term economic interest that we implement best practices that will result in sustainable business and economic systems of efficient and effective high-quality health practices.

“The critical voice of CEOs is missing and must be accessed and leveraged in support of these best practices, and the public policies and legislation that will authorize and enable needed change,” said Jim Wunderman, President & CEO of the  Council. “It is the voice of CEOs that the Bay Area Council is uniquely positioned to bring to the table and we look forward to the work ahead.”

For additional details, contact Linda Galliher, Vice President of Public Policy, at 415-946-8708 or lgalliher@bayareacouncil.org.