Virginia’s lawsuit against the federal government notwithstanding, the state is still pressing forward with its own health care initiatives.
The Virginia Health Reform Initiative Advisory Council, formed in August by Gov. Bob McDonnell, has prepared a draft report whose recommendations include reorganizing care delivery practices, increasing the supply of health professionals, and establishing a state health benefit exchange.
“Given that ‘health reform Virginia’s way’ is worth doing regardless of federal law, there should be no unnecessary delay in beginning implementation,” the draft report stated. “Since so many recommendations hold promise to improve quality, lower cost, or make insurance and care more affordable and accessible, opportunities for ‘early adoption’ should be prudently explored and acted upon.”
“The Virginia Health Reform Initiative (VHRI,) in 4 months, has outlined a road forward to improve the value of healthcare in Virginia,” said Secretary of Health and Human Resources Bill Hazel, who chairs the initiative. “This should in term improve quality, enable access, and provide a competitive advantage for our employers.”
