October 2021 | Volume 2
MOVING INTELLIGENT CHANGE FORWARD
INNOVATION DIGEST
As we turn the corner to November, my thoughts turn to elections. Whether local, state or congressional, I hope you’ll take action November 2 and remind as many of your colleagues, family and friends to do the same! Interestingly, there is a link between voting and some of the articles below focusing on equity, measuring social determinants of health and patient-centered care. Inclusive voting is one of the political determinants of health, according to a compelling book by Daniel Dawes that I’m currently reading. Also, if you want to hear about new directions in measuring patient-important outcomes and quality of life factors that apply to our understanding of effectiveness and value, register for the public Innovation and Value Initiative's Methods Summit, Wednesday, October 27 from 10:00-2:00 pm. (Register) These events and resources have a common theme: use data to take action toward health for all.
To Advance Health Equity, Measure Hospital Malnutrition Care
Despite claiming to have prioritized health equity, the Biden administration just missed an opportunity to address poor nutrition—an important health and equity issue for older adults in particular. When the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released its FY 2022 Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System Final Rule, something was conspicuously absent from the Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting (IQR) Program: a quality measure specific to malnutrition.
How Morgan Health hopes to finally move the needle on employer health costs: 5 insights from a chat with the venture's CEO
The mission of J.P. Morgan's new healthcare venture is to innovate employer-sponsored healthcare, not just for the investment bank's massive employee base but eventually for all 150 million Americans receiving coverage through their job. But it's a lofty goal for the small business unit, called Morgan Health, launched late May, and there are many skeptics of efforts from major employers looking to disrupt the deep-rooted and complex healthcare industry.
What is the Outlook for Addressing Social Determinants of Health?
In a remarkably short period, attention to social determinants of health—nonmedical factors influencing health, such as housing, adequate nutrition, and transportation—has become a central feature of efforts to improve health and health equity. In just the last 10 years, the term’s annual frequency in journal articles has increased 7-fold.
The Future Of Value Assessment In A Post-Pandemic United States
Value assessment: Where do we go post-COVID? We should start by asking, “How has COVID changed us?” Hopefully we more readily recognize our interconnectedness and our dependence on the contributions of one another to our health and wellbeing. In this new normal, value assessment is called upon to take a multi-faceted, multifactorial approach to accurately measure contributions to optimal health.
The stirrings of revolt: Hospitals nationwide are sidestepping health record giants to better harness patient data
A small group of software vendors has largely controlled the flow of patient data in U.S. health care for more than two decades. The biggest health systems have paid billions of dollars for their electronic health records, and mostly accepted the costly strings attached that constrict how they can share data or which apps they can adopt.
A Policy Prescription for Reducing Health Disparities—Achieving Pharmacoequity
In 2019, the US spent $3.8 trillion on health care, including an estimated $370 billion on retail prescription drugs alone. On average, individuals in the US spend more than $1100 per capita annually out of pocket on health care, but this spending is inequitably distributed. Specifically, racial and ethnic minority populations, who disproportionately experience higher prevalence and greater severity of chronic diseases, are more likely to not have sufficient insurance or lack insurance completely.

Passion + Quality = Change That Matters
  
I embrace the powerful opportunities in our evolving health care landscape. I founded Momentum Health Strategies to be a catalyst for change through continuous learning, diverse engagement and thoughtful policy and practice initiatives. I deliver innovative, strategic thinking and a passion for improving the patient experience. My personal drive and dedication to high-quality results will help you navigate the competitive terrain you face and convert your vision to action.

Momentum Health Strategies

Jennifer L Bright, MPA
(703) 628 - 0534
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