News Releases
Support for Partnership for Healthcare Excellence's Consumer Education Effort Continues to Grow
New groups join effort to increase patient engagement around health care quality
BOSTON – JANUARY 15, 2008 – Five new groups have joined the Partnership for Healthcare Excellence in its ongoing effort to help Massachusetts consumers improve the quality of health care for themselves and their families. These organizations, which include the Arc of Massachusetts, the Disability Policy Consortium, the Massachusetts Association of Health Plans (MAHP), the Massachusetts e-Health Collaborative and the Massachusetts Organization of Nurse Executives (MONE), will bring varied expertise and experience to the Partnership's Leadership Council.
The Partnership for Healthcare Excellence is dedicated to helping consumers become more informed and engaged in their own health care. The Partnership also strives to inform the public about variations in health care quality and encourages consumers to become engaged in pressing for changes to improve the overall quality of the health care system.
The Partnership's 46-member Leadership Council includes physician leaders, nurses, hospitals, public health and patient advocates, providers, insurers, business leaders, as well as representatives from civic and community organizations. A full list of Leadership Council members is available on the website at www.partnershipforhealthcare.org.
"The Partnership is pleased to welcome these organizations to the Leadership Council," said Marilyn Schlein Kramer, Executive Director of The Partnership for Healthcare Excellence. "They bring a diverse set of stakeholders and will help us broaden our reach as we seek to educate and engage consumers about health care quality," said Kramer.
"MONE is delighted to join with the Partnership as it strives to increase patient involvement in health care," said Sharon A. Gale, Executive Director of Massachusetts Organization of Nurse Executives. "Improving health care quality has always been one of our goals, and we are excited to work with all the members of the Partnership's Leadership Council on this important effort."
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ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP
The Partnership for Healthcare Excellence is the first statewide effort of its kind to focus specifically on patients – helping them to play a greater role in improving the quality of their health care. The Partnership is a broad-based coalition with participants from every segment of the health care community. Its members include consumer associations, disease and advocacy organizations, doctors, nurses, insurers, business groups, labor, public health advocates and other health care leaders. For more information, including a complete listing of members of the Leadership Council, please visit www.partnershipforhealthcare.org
About The Disability Policy Consortium (DPC)
The Disability Policy Consortium, Inc. is an organization of volunteer disability rights activists who share a common goal of equal opportunity for all individuals with disabilities. For more information please visit www.dpcma.org.
About The Massachusetts Association of Health Plans (MAHP)
The Massachusetts Association of Health Plans (MAHP) represents 11 health plans providing health care coverage for more than 2.3 million Massachusetts residents. For more information please visit www.mahp.com.
About Massachusetts Organization of Nurse Executives (MONE)
The Massachusetts Organization of Nurse Executives represents over 650 nursing leaders from diverse practices across the state, all of whom are committed to delivering quality patient care. For more information please visit www.massone.org.
About Massachusetts eHealth Collaborative
The Massachusetts eHealth Collaborative was formed by the physician community to bring together the state's major health care stakeholders to establish an electronic health record system that would enhance the quality, efficiency and safety of care in Massachusetts. For more information please visit www.maehc.org.
About The Arc of Massachusetts
The Arc of Massachusetts enhances the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. It represents the interests of over 120,000 children and adults by providing education and systems advocacy. For more information please visit www.arcmass.org.
CONTACT:
Heather Mills
The Partnership for Healthcare Excellence
Tel. 617.399.8368
E-mail: hmills@partnershipforhealthcare.org