Washington’s State Health Care Innovation Planning initiative is in full swing, with information available via a website, webinar series, and participation in the State Health Care Innovation Planning Feedback Network, Innovation Planning Project Director Karen Merrikin noted this week.
Funded by a grant from the federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, the planning process began April 1 of this year and concludes in October. The extensive work involves thought leaders from both the private and public sectors working together with community members and stakeholders to create a five-year plan to transform Washington State’s health care system and support better health outcomes.
“State Health Care Innovation Planning is engaging cross sector leaders to identify common aims, needed infrastructure, and innovative solutions to pressing health issues,” noted Dorothy Teeter, director of the Health Care Authority, the agency coordinating the planning process and one of 10 state agencies involved with the private sector in planning. “Together, we are learning a great deal and this work will have value for Washington for years to come.”
One aspect of the planning process includes identifying effective and promising practices already used by providers, purchasers, health plans, and communities in the state and considering modifications and opportunities to spread innovation so Washingtonians in other regions of the state benefit, as well.
Opportunities to access information and/or participate include:
- Web pages following the progress of the State Health Care Innovation Planning process are now available. The pages are updated regularly and can be viewed at www.hca.wa.gov/shcip/
Pages/default.aspx . - A webinar series has been launched and is open for public participation. Coming dates are August 8, August 22, and October 15, from 11 am to 12:30 pm. To register for any of these dates or watch the recorded June 27 webinar, visit the project’s How To Participate web page: www.hca.wa.gov/shcip/
Pages/participate.aspx . - Individuals interested in following the plan’s progress and/or providing feedback can sign up to participate in the Innovation Planning Feedback Network. More than 500 individuals have already signed up and input they have provided is actively being used to shape the plan. To sign up for the Feedback Network, send a request to simquestions@hca.wa.gov.
For more information, send inquiries to simquestions@hca.wa.gov. All emails are received and reviewed by staff.