Fourfold differences in prices are common The Washington Health Alliance (the Alliance) announced today the publication of a new report that details tremendous variation in billing prices for common procedures
Posts Categorized: The Alliance Blog
Welcome new member National Federation of Independent Business
This month, we’re excited to welcome the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) as our newest member. Thanks to the support of our members, the Alliance is able to produce
First statewide report in nation to measure Choosing Wisely® recommendations finds overuse and widespread geographic variation
Data from 3.3 million lives in Washington illustrates successes and opportunities for improvement Washington State Choosing Wisely Task Force unveils campaign to focus on imaging for uncomplicated headaches The first
Rockwood Clinic: Adding Choosing Wisely® recommendations into existing culture of quality
Choosing Wisely® is a national initiative helping physicians and patients have conversations about the overuse of tests and procedures and supports physicians’ efforts to help patients make smart and effective
Welcome new members International Community Health Services and Woodcreek Healthcare
This month, we’re excited to welcome two new members: International Community Health Services and Woodcreek Healthcare. Thanks to the support of our members, the Alliance is able to produce the
Release of county-level data reveals disparities in care
We are pleased to publish the detailed, county-level data we used to produce the 2014 Disparities in Care Report. Organizations such as public health departments, city and county governments, regional
Welcome new members xG Health Solutions and Northwest Administrators, Inc.
This month, we’re excited to welcome two new members: xG Health Solutions™ and Northwest Administrators, Inc. Thanks to the support of our members, the Alliance is able to produce the
Committees to develop standard statewide measures of performance
In 2014, the Washington State Legislature passed ESHB 2572, which is a law relating to improving the effectiveness of health care purchasing and transforming the health care delivery system. A
2014 eValue8™ assessment on health plans now available
The Alliance, on behalf of its members, has for the last several years worked with the National Business Coalition on Health (NBCH) to conduct a rigorous evaluation of health plans
Disparities in Care 2014 Report released
Nationally, disparities in care have become a hot topic as health care systems begin to implement population management strategies. There are many national and state-level reports on disparities that look
Improving price transparency: The Everett Clinic takes first step toward price transparency
Learn about The Everett Clinic’s precedent-setting decision to begin posting self-pay prices on their website, beginning with six common imaging services. This action was met with positive attention from the
Welcome new members, Capital Benefit Services, Inc., Capital Medical Center and Washington Managed Imaging
This month, we’re excited to welcome three new members: Capital Benefit Services, Inc., Capital Medical Center and Washington Managed Imaging. Thanks to the support of our members, the Alliance is able to produce
Spotlight on Washington: 2014 scorecard on Washington’s health system performance
The Commonwealth Fund recently released the Scorecard on State Health System Performance, 2014. Evaluating health systems across 42 quality, cost, and outcomes indicators, the report shines a light on what works
Washington Health Alliance profiled in series on health care quality
As part of Journalists on Quality, a series of insightful profiles written by prominent health policy journalists on how Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Aligning Forces for Quality initiative has affected
Statement from Washington Health Alliance Board on Retirement of Mary McWilliams
The Alliance’s executive director, Mary McWilliams, has decided to retire from her position later this year. Mary has had a long and distinguished career in health care and decided this
Alliance in the news: Seattle Times on price transparency
The Seattle Times has published an article about the move in Washington state for great price transparency in health care. “I think people have assumed it’s all the same quality
Washington Health Alliance Releases 2013 Community Checkup Results, Announces New Name
The Washington Health Alliance (the Alliance) today unveiled its new name and released its first Community Checkup to include health care quality results for the entire state. To reflect its
Outlook 2014 health care: Price transparency
A article in the Puget Sound Business Journal by Valerie Bauman reported on trends in health care in 2014, quoting Mary McWilliams, executive director of the Washington Health Alliance. Bauman
Alliance begins reporting statewide county-level data
For the first time, the Alliance is reporting statewide data at the county level as part of the Community Checkup. In doing so, the Alliance is bringing a greater level
New name, broader reach for Washington Health Alliance
An article in the Puget Sound Business Journal by Valerie Bauman reported on exciting new changes for the Alliance: “The Puget Sound Health Alliance has a new name to reflect