Governor Rendell Receives Blueprint to
Better Care from Chronic Care Commission
The Chronic Care Management, Reimbursement and Cost Reduction Commission yesterday presented Governor Rendell with a strategic plan which outlines Pennsylvania’s new chronic care model. The model has been developed by the Commission over the past few months and will change the way we deliver and pay for health care for chronic diseases.

The 44 members of the Chronic Care Management, Reimbursement and Cost Reduction Commission have worked since last September to develop a plan that proposes a pilot program enrolling 30-60 primary care practices in the southeastern region in learning collaboratives that will help to improve how they monitor, deliver and are reimbursed for chronic care management. The first collaborative will start in May and, by the fall, additional collaboratives will begin in other regions of the state.

“Chronic diseases are the leading cause of death and disability in the Commonwealth and accounts for 80 percent of our health care costs,” Governor Rendell said. “That’s why this report – this blueprint – is critical for improving quality of life for people with chronic illness and to save money.” 

Learn More | Read the Report | View the Press Release
 

Health Care Reform Earns Standing Ovation During Governor Rendell’s Budget Address
Last week, Governor Rendell received not one but two standing ovations when he discussed the need to continue to enact meaningful health care reform in Pennsylvania. 

The crowd came to its feet in the loudest, most sustained ovation of the day when Governor Rendell talked about Cover All Pennsylvanians which would provide individuals and small businesses with access to affordable health care. “We can’t kid ourselves any longer. The cost of escalating health care coverage is crippling small business in Pennsylvania, and for growing numbers of our fellow citizens, lack of health insurance can literally be a death sentence,” said Governor Rendell. “There really is only one answer: We must tell our sickest Pennsylvanians that we are going to help them by ensuring access to health care for every citizen and we’re going to do it this year.”

The second ovation came as Governor Rendell discussed the insurance reform plans outlined in Prescription for Pennsylvania which would help protect health consumers by making it illegal to refuse to insure them at reasonable rates because of a pre-existing medical condition. “This reform will insure that in the future a diagnosis of cancer will no longer be an automatic death sentence for any Pennsylvanian,” said Governor Rendell.

The remarkable outpouring of support from the audience highlighted once again that health care is a top issue for the Rendell Administration and for all Pennsylvanians.