CHT Monthly Newsletter

December 2009

Leading Large Scale Change

CHT Concludes 2009 Meeting Series in Naples 

CHT Founder Newt Gingrich, former Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Julie Gerberding, M.D., former FDA Commissioner and CHT Senior Advisor Andrew von Eschenbach, M.D., and General Pete Taylor

On November 5, CHT hosted its final member meeting of 2009, “Leading Large Scale Change,” in Naples, FL. The day kicked off with opening remarks from CHT President and CEO Nancy Desmond who reviewed CHT’s Top 12 Successes of 2009. Following Desmond’s presentation, Ben Leedle, CEO of Healthways, introduced Dan Buettner, author of the book, Blue Zones, a bestseller focusing on a select number of communities where there are an unusual number of residents age 100 or older.

Before breaking for lunch, meeting participants heard from former Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Julie Gerberding, M.D., former FDA Commissioner and CHT Senior Advisor Andrew von Eschenbach, M.D., CHT Founder Newt Gingrich and retired Army General Pete Taylor who discussed the art of leading large scale change.

Following a networking lunch and book signing with Blue Zones author Dan Buettner, members heard from Frank Luntz, President of Luntz Research Companies and author of What Americans Really Want . . . Really. Luntz discussed ways to successfully influence health reform proposals before Congress, noting that the public should demand additional town hall meetings before House and Senate votes. He also said efforts should be made to protect the rights of those who have health insurance coverage.

The final presentation of the day was led by CHT Founder and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. Gingrich gave a wrap-up of the latest news concerning healthcare negotiations on Capitol Hill, including a prediction that the House would vote on Saturday November 7 while the Senate would likely not vote on the issue until 2010.

On October 14, the Center for Health Transformation in collaboration with the Florida Chamber of Commerce hosted the “Creating a 21st Century Intelligent Health System in Florida” event at the Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club in Orlando, FL.

After welcoming remarks from Florida’s Attorney General Bill McCollum and Governor Charlie Crist, Speaker Newt Gingrich gave audience members an update on health reform from Capitol Hill. Afternoon panel discussions focused on creating better health at lower costs for Florida employers as well as valuable health IT innovations for Florida stakeholders.

For more information on this event including photos, videos and an executive summary, please visit our website.

CHT Seminar Focuses on Making Nashville Healthier  

CHT Founder Newt Gingrich, Gov. Phil Bredesen and other health experts discussed ways to make Nashville a healthier city during the November 2 seminar “Health and Well-Being: Keys to Transformation,” sponsored by the Nashville Health Care Council, the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Center for Health Transformation.

Over 500 community leaders attended the event which included remarks from Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen; Karl Dean, Mayor of Nashville; Nancy Desmond, CHT President and CEO; Ralph Schulz, President and CEO of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce; Caroline Young, President of the Nashville Health Care Council; Ben Leedle, CEO of Healthways, Dan Buettner, author of Blue Zones; Roy Spence, Co-Founder and CEO of Idea City; Jake Glover, Director of Health and Wellness Initiatives of AHIP.

On a well-being scale, Tennessee ranks 42nd of 50 states, according to a Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index. The city of Nashville ranks a bit better at 84th of 184 major metropolitan areas.

Gingrich concluded the day’s events with the presentation “Keys to Transformation: Leadership for Successful Health and Well-Being” by discussing ways to improve Nashville’s health at the community level. Gingrich provided local leaders with a model that envisions goals for a healthy Nashville, sets metrics for success and develops strategies to achieve those goals.

To view this event’s agenda, media coverage and other helpful information, please visit our website.

Daschle Leads Payment Reform Meeting in D.C.

The working group, led by CHT VP Julie Eckstein, hopes to identify effective models that will realign payment and delivery of care incentives to achieve better health outcomes and higher quality, appropriate care.

Senator Daschle shared that while there is consensus that payment reform needs to occur, unfortunately there have not been workable solutions embraced by all sides. He encouraged the group to move strategically to replace volume with value and was confident that he and Speaker Gingrich would work with both sides of the aisle to implement key recommendations at the federal level.

After discussion with Senator Daschle, small groups focused on six key areas of strategy and identified tactics to support each strategy.

The group plans to have a document outlining its recommendations completed this month.

CHT in the News

CHT had another busy month producing numerous op-eds and participating in several speaking engagements.

Highlights include the op-eds, “Let States Lead the Way - Washington's One-Size-Fits-All Reform Won't Work”;  written by CHT founder Newt Gingrich and Texas Governor Rick Perry, which ran in the Washington Post; "Government Panel Can’t Put Price on Human Life"; written by CHT President and CEO Nancy Desmond and CHT Senior Advisor Dr. Andy von Eschenbach, which ran in The Houston Chronicle; “Costly Health Care Reform Harmful Rx for Innovation”; written by Newt Gingrich and CHT VP, Director of National Health Policy David Merritt which ran in The Omaha World Herald.

CHT staff also participated in various speaking engagements, including radio interviews and TV appearances. To view this complete list, please visit our website.

CHT Members GE Healthcare and ICW Join Forces

On July 1, 2009 CHT members GE Healthcare and ICW announced a strategic partnership to integrate and co-develop their health information exchange (HIE) solutions. The companies’ ehealth solution set, includes electronic medical records (EMR), health information exchange (HIE) and a personal health record (PHR)—the full spectrum of data sources and connectivity.

By improving the connection of disparate healthcare technology systems, GE is building on its healthymagination commitment to increase quality of care and access while lowering costs. Easier access to patient information helps clinicians make better more informed decisions that can help improve care. Additionally, GE Healthcare’s integrated electronic medical record helps reduce repetitive tests and the risk of medical errors.

GE Healthcare and ICW will focus their combined solution on helping national, state, local and regional organizations create a secure exchange to share patient conditions, allergies, medication history and other appropriate clinical data across the continuum of care.

CHT Founder Newt Gingrich and former Chairman of the Democratic National Committee Howard Dean debated health reform at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, MO on October 28

On October 27, Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle joined over 30 CHT members for the second of CHT’s Payment Reform Work Group meetings.