West Health

Our latest 2024 Survey on Aging in America with Gallup was featured in Fortune: nearly 3 in 4 Americans under 65 are worried about the availability of Medicare, underscoring the growing fear many adults have about the future of health care.   With the aging population expected to nearly double in the next 40 years, it is crucial to ensure the sustainability of Medicare and other social safety nets.    West Health remains committed to lowering the cost of health care and creating a safe, healthy future for all Americans as we age. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/e7P-zNYM.   #healthyaging #olderadults #olderamericans

Interested in learning more about the Strategic Framework for a National Plan on Aging? Tune in to today's webinar at 2 PM ET. Register here: https://lnkd.in/ec_UwARA

Consolidation within the health care system has greatly contributed to the steep rise in health care prices over the years. In West Health’s recent comment letter to the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division, the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Health and Human Services, we discuss the clear impacts that hospital consolidation and pharmacy benefit managers' integration with health plans and pharmacies have on the cost of health care services and pharmaceuticals, which is ultimately borne by patients and taxpayers.   Of particular concern is the growing number of independent doctor’s offices acquired by hospitals, which results in services in hospital owned doctor’s offices costing more than identical services in independent doctor’s offices.    Adoption of site-neutral payment policies where services are paid the same whether supplied by independent doctor or hospital-owned doctor offices would help protect patients, insurers, taxpayers and employers from these price markups—and disincentivize consolidation.    Learn more about the impact of health care consolidation in this video clip and read the full comment letter here: https://lnkd.in/eZj6bb-2.   #siteneutral #healthcareconsolidation #pricetransparency #pbmreform  

As we kick off our #MPAMondays series, we reflect on an insightful American Society on Aging #OnAging2024! You can now view the full Keynote session from the conference: “Building a National Movement for Aging with Health, Dignity and Connection.”   With more than half of states implementing Multisector Plans for Aging, federal infrastructure for a National Plan on Aging is key to facilitating health and independence for all Americans as we age. In the session, Kim McCoy Wade Kari Benson and Rani Snyder discuss statewide progress in California as well as the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Healthy Aging and Age-Friendly Communities’ national strategic framework for #healthyaging. Watch the full session below. The John A. Hartford Foundation Center for Health Care Strategies #multisectorplanforaging #olderadults

Huge #MultisectorPlanforAging News! 📣 Tune in today at 12 PM ET: Pennsylvania is holding the official publication ceremony for their 10-year strategic plan for aging: Aging our Way, PA. This plan was brought to life through collaboration with more than 19,000 Pennsylvanians and over 20 state agencies.    The plan includes priorities, strategies and tactics to promote health, independence, and quality of life for all Pennsylvanians as they age. We look forward to helping Pennsylvania as their newly-published plan is implemented, preparing the Commonwealth for the changing needs of a growing older adult population.   Watch the livestream here at 12 PM ET: https://lnkd.in/eNtQQUf5.    #multisectorplanforaging #olderadults #healthyaging

Just released: Today, the Department of Health and Human Services through its Administration for Community Living (ACL) published a new report, “Aging in the United States: A Strategic Framework for a National Plan on Aging.”    This report lays the groundwork for coordinating partnerships with the broader healthy aging community to establish a national set of strategies for advancing healthy aging initiatives, reducing barriers to health and independence for older adults. This marks a monumental step in protecting a future where all Americans can age with health, dignity and connection, building upon the sweeping #MultisectorPlanforAging progress taking place at the state and local level.   West Health is proud to be supporting ACL in elevating the voices of older adults and other stakeholders through the National Plan for Aging Community Engagement Collaborative with our partners: The SCAN Foundation The John A. Hartford Foundation.   Register for ACL's public webinar on June 10th at 2 PM ET to learn more about the promise of this Strategic Framework for a National Plan on Aging: https://lnkd.in/ec_UwARA. You can read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/eVQmBgUN.   #olderamericansmonth #multisectorplanforaging #olderadults #healthyaging 

Our latest survey in partnership with Gallup was featured in The Washington Post: 75% of respondents feel mental health conditions are identified and treated worse than physical health issues within the healthcare system, despite 80% reporting a dramatic rise in the prevalence of mental health issues over the last five years.   As we conclude #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth and #OlderAmericansMonth, it’s imperative that we reduce barriers to proper behavioral healthcare to ensure all Americans can live and age well. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eKFxzepw. #MentalHealthAwareness #BehavioralHealth #OlderAmericans #HealthyAging

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed an important new rule to introduce the Age-Friendly Hospital Measure. This initiative is designed to ensure hospitals implement the 4Ms Framework: What Matters, Medication, Mentation, & Mobility. By doing so, we can guarantee high-quality, evidence-based care for all older adults. 🗓️ Submit your comments by June 10 to make your voice heard. Be sure to reference file code CMS-1808-P. 🔗 Visit our website for a ready-to-use template and step-by-step instructions on how to submit your comment: https://lnkd.in/gWJmktWb

May marks Older Americans Month, a time to reaffirm our commitment to serving older adults in our communities. This year’s theme: #PoweredbyConnection recognizes the profound importance of maintaining meaningful relationships with our loved ones and our communities as we age.     A Multisector Plan for Aging is a ten-year blueprint that protects the futures of aging Americans by creating a coordinated system for restructuring state and local policies to address their unique needs. By implementing age-friendly policies and infrastructure at the community level, these plans encourage healthy, active, and connected living for older adults.      As Older Americans Month comes to a close, we encourage you stay up to date with the latest MPA updates by subscribing to our newsletter: https://lnkd.in/eQ2WDVpX. #OlderAmericansMonth #OlderAdults #MultisectorPlanforAging   American Society on Aging The SCAN Foundation May & Stanley Smith Charitable Trust The John A. Hartford Foundation

Just released: Our new report in partnership with National Alliance for Caregiving evaluates the development and implementation of the RAISE Family Caregivers Act to deploy the 2022 National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers. The success of this strategy was achieved through extensive cross-sector collaboration across public and private sectors, enhancing support for family caregivers across the U.S. for years to come.   The evolution and success of this almost decade-long process can inform the advancement of a national #MultisectorPlanforAging strategic framework, building upon the sweeping progress taking place at the state level. By championing bipartisan support from policymakers, prioritizing public-private partnerships across policy, advocacy, philanthropy, and academia, and engaging the constituent voice at every step of the planning process, a national multisector plan for aging can soon become a reality.   With a rapidly growing aging population, it is imperative that all Americans, regardless of their zip code or socioeconomic status, have access to the programs, resources, and services needed to age and live with health and dignity. Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/eu6dF7ri   #OlderAdults #Aging #HealthyAging