Former Michigan Governor John Engler Appointed Chair of Employer-Led Health Care Initiative
WASHINGTON (PRWEB) December 11, 2017 -- The DRIVE Health Initiative – a campaign by the Pacific Business Group on Health (PBGH) and The ERISA Industry Committee (ERIC) to decrease costs, improve quality, and revitalize the economy through value-based care – announced today that former Michigan Governor John Engler has accepted an invitation to serve as Chair. In this role, he will serve as an advisor and foster collaboration between policymakers and industry stakeholders to advance alternative models of paying for and delivering health care that reward quality.
“Private employers have proven that market-based business principles like transparency, accountability, and innovation can work in health care, but we need the government’s active partnership to drive change at a scale that private purchasers can’t do by themselves,” said Bill Kramer, Executive Director of Policy at the Pacific Business Group on Health. “Governor Engler is uniquely suited to bring the private and public sectors together to make value-based care a reality.”
Since its launch in May 2017, DRIVE Health Initiative has undertaken a number of activities to inform policymakers and urge the government to promote specific market-oriented, value-based purchasing strategies. The most notable efforts to-date include: issuing a letter to President Trump encouraging him to promote value-based care policies; and making specific recommendations to the U.S. House of Representatives Ways & Means Health Subcommittee and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on alternative value-based payment models that should be implemented by Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans. Under Governor Engler’s leadership, the group aims to further develop and execute its cooperative strategy to break down any barriers that inhibit quality improvement efforts.
“The evidence-based, value-based reforms being pursued by DRIVE Health Initiative will improve the quality of health care for American families and help recover nearly $350 billion being wasted on unnecessary costs,” said Former Governor John Engler. “That money can then be invested in other national priorities like job growth, education, and tax cuts. Now that’s a bipartisan fix I know everyone can get behind, and I’m excited to help make it happen.”
“Governor Engler shares our belief that the single greatest opportunity for President Trump and the new HHS Secretary to help improve American health care while controlling costs is expanding value-based care,” said Annette Guarisco Fildes, CEO of The ERISA Industry Committee. “Many government leaders are looking for specific, proven ideas that will help make health care better and more affordable for all. DRIVE Health Initiative has the Blueprint to make that happen.”
Engler served as the Governor of Michigan for three terms, from 1991 to 2003, and prior to that served for 20 years in the Michigan State Legislature, finishing his term as the Senate Majority Leader. In his role as Governor, Engler signed 32 tax cuts into law that led to 800,000 new jobs and the lowest unemployment rate in Michigan’s history. He also previously served as the President and CEO of two organizations that represented America’s largest employers – the Business Roundtable and National Association of Manufacturers; health care reform was a key priority for both of these organizations. Engler earned a JD from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and a BS from Michigan State University.
About The ERISA Industry Committee (ERIC)
The ERISA Industry Committee (ERIC) is the only national association that advocates exclusively for large employers on health, retirement and compensation public policies at the state, federal and local levels. ERIC members are the largest companies in the country, leaders in every sector of the economy and innovators in health care design and delivery through providing health coverage to their employees, retirees and families across the country. Learn more at eric.org.
About the Pacific Business Group on Health (PBGH)
The Pacific Business Group on Health (PBGH) is a non-profit business coalition focused on improving the quality and affordability of health care. The group represents more than 60 large employers and other health care purchasing members, who provide coverage for nearly ten million individuals in the United States. PBGH supports some of the largest companies in the country in implementing innovative solutions to improve health care outcomes and value. Learn more at pbgh.org.
Taylor Leaming, 7034793565, [email protected]
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