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Study Finds Dramatic Increase In Metastatic Colon Cancer Survival
Novel chemotherapy and biological agents for metastatic colorectal cancer, combined with surgical advances in liver resection, have resulted in a dramatic increase in survival for patients with advanced disease, according to researchers at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.
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In Joint Statement, Industry Groups Reiterate Commitment To Reduce Health Spending Growth
The six industry groups that pledged to reduce health care spending growth by $2 trillion over 10 years on Friday issued a statement reaffirming their commitment to work toward the goal, Roll Call reports (Murray, Roll Call, 5/15). The industry groups in a letter sent to President Obama on May 10 wrote, "We will do our part to achieve your administration"s goal of decreasing by 1.5 percentage points the annual health care spending growth rate. ... This represents more than a 20% reduction in the projected rate of growth." The letter -- which was signed by the American Medical Association, the American Hospital Association, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, the Advanced Medical Technology Association, America"s Health Insurance Plans and the Service Employees International Union -- did not elaborate on what specific measures the groups would take to achieve such reductions (Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, 5/12). Obama in a May 11 public announcement of the groups" pledge said the coalition"s goal was to cut the growth rate by 1.5 percentage points "each year," which would total $2 trillion over 10 years (Norman, CQ HealthBeat, 5/15).However, industry leaders who attended the meeting with Obama said that they did not promise specific year-by-year savings, but instead agreed to a more incremental approach (Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, 5/15). Richard Umbdenstock, president of AHA, said, "There"s been a lot of misunderstanding that has caused a lot of consternation among our members." AHA sent its members a bulletin stating that "the groups did not support reducing the rate of health spending by 1.5 percentage points annually," and that the pledge was to eventually reduce the growth rate by 1.5 percentage points (CQ HealthBeat, 5/15).In response to media reports that said they were backing away from their pledge, the groups on Friday in a joint statement reiterated their vow. They wrote, "Our organizations are currently engaged in an intensive process to develop proposals to reduce the rate of increase in future health care costs" (Young, The Hill, 5/15). The statement also said, "We are committed to working together to bend the health care cost curve" and "to doing our part to make reform sustainable and to make the system more affordable and effective for patients and purchasers" (Budoff Brown, Politico, 5/18). It continued that "to be successful, we must take action in public-private partnership. We look forward to offering cost-savings recommendations in the weeks ahead." The Obama administration has requested specifics on the coalition"s cost-cutting plans by June 1. White House Office of Management and Budget Director Peter Orszag on Friday in a blog post wrote that it is "understandable" that the groups need to "ramp up" to the 1.5 percentage point reduction in spending. According to Orszag, "The groups have committed to significant reductions in the growth rate, thereby recognizing that substantial efficiencies can be captured in the health system. Some ramp-up time also does not materially affect the long-term impact from reducing the growth rate, on either national health expenditures or the federal budget" (CQ HealthBeat, 5/15). Orszag"s blog posting is available online.
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States To Pursue New Integrated Care Approaches For Dual Eligibles

As the nation debates health reform options, the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) is launching Transforming Care for Dual Eligibles , a state initiative to test innovative care models for people who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid ("dual eligibles"). Colorado, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Vermont will implement strategies to improve care and control costs for dual eligibles, a high-need population with health care costs nearly five times those of other Medicare beneficiaries. The program is made possible through support from The Commonwealth Fund. "As we look toward reforming our health care system, there are significant opportunities to improve the quality and cost-effectiveness of care for people who are eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare coverage," said Karen Davis, President, The Commonwealth Fund. "The work of these seven states in designing patient-centered delivery models for this critical, yet often overlooked, population will help pave the way for other states looking to improve care for duals." The more than eight million adults who are dually eligible represent approximately 18% of the Medicaid population, but account for 46% of the program"s costs due to their complex array of medical, behavioral, and long-term care needs. A majority of dual eligibles are in fragmented fee-for-service systems, with little to no care coordination. Integrating the financing, delivery, and administration of services across Medicaid and Medicare could significantly reduce unnecessary hospitalizations and decrease the use of institutional care over time. The Transforming Care for Dual Eligibles initiative will work with states to eliminate the barriers to integrating Medicaid- and Medicare-covered services via Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plans (SNPs) and will support the development of alternative models for integration. CHCS will work closely with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to identify new avenues for integrating care. Through the 18-month program, participating states will receive in-depth technical assistance addressing program design, care models, financing mechanisms, and contracting strategies. "With growing momentum regarding Congressional support for integrating care, it is an ideal time to develop and test new state approaches to improve the quality of care for duals," said Melanie Bella, Senior Vice President at CHCS. "We look forward to partnering with state and federal policymakers to establish practical and replicable solutions for integrating Medicaid and Medicare." The Transforming Care initiative continues the work begun by CMS and five states under CHCS" earlier Integrated Care Program to address operational hurdles to integrating care by contracting with SNPs. The new program"s goal is to develop a range of integrated delivery models for dual eligibles that can be implemented by other states across the country. Lessons from participating states will be disseminated to Medicaid stakeholders throughout the course of the initiative. The Commonwealth Fund


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